High-speed pluggable optical transceivers with advanced functionality

ABSTRACT

An optical transceiver configured to operate in a host device includes an electrical interface communicatively coupled to the host device to interface electrically with the host device, wherein the optical transceiver is compliant with a Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) which is supported by the host device; optical transceiver components communicatively coupled to the electrical interface, wherein the optical transceiver components are configured to optically interface signals with a second optical transceiver to form an optical link; and electronic dispersion compensation circuitry communicatively coupled to the optical transceiver components and configured to electronically compensate for optical fiber chromatic and/or polarization mode dispersion associated with the optical link, separate and independent from the host device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/346,994 filed Nov. 9, 2016, and entitled “HIGH-SPEEDPLUGGABLE OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERS WITH ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITY,” whichclaims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/854,674 filed Jan. 15, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,496,960issued on Nov. 15, 2016), and entitled “PLUGGABLE OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERSWITH INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC DISPERSION COMPENSATION,” which claimspriority as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/589,635 filed Jan. 15, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,319,143 issued onApr. 19, 2016), and entitled “40G/100G/200G/400G PLUGGABLE OPTICALTRANSCEIVERS WITH ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITY,” which claims priority as acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/784,998filed Mar. 5, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,929,744 issued on Jan. 6, 2015),and entitled “40G/100G MSA-COMPLIANT OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERS WITH ADVANCEDFUNCTIONALITY,” which claims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S.Pat. No. 8,412,051, issued on Apr. 2, 2013, and entitled “40G/100GOPTICAL TRANSCEIVERS WITH INTEGRATED FRAMING AND FORWARD ERRORCORRECTION,” which claims priority to U.S. Pat. No. 8,107,820 issuedJan. 31, 2012, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE INTEGRATION OFFRAMING, OAM&P, AND FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION IN SFP OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERDEVICES,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. No.61/029,821, filed Feb. 19, 2008, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORETHERNET EXTENSION AND DEMARCATION,” and which claims priority as acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 7,580,637, issued on Aug. 25,2009, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF FRAMING,OAM&P, AND FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION IN PLUGGABLE OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERDEVICES,” all of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to optical and data networking,and more specifically to 40 Gb/s, 100 Gb/s, 200 Gb/s, 400 Gb/s opticaltransceiver systems and methods with integrated framing; forward errorcorrection (FEC); performance monitoring (PM); optical layer operations,administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P); alarming;electronic dispersion compensation, and other advanced functionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Optical transceivers can be defined through multi-source agreements(MSAs) or equivalents. MSAs are agreements for specifications of opticaltransceivers agreed to by multiple vendors, organizations, etc. andpromulgated for other vendors and network operators to utilize. MSAsallow other vendors to design transceivers to the same specificationsreducing the risk for vendors and operators, increasing flexibility, andaccelerating the introduction of new technology. Exemplary MSAs includeXFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, and 300-pin. Exemplary MSAs for40G, 100G, 200G, and 400G include CFP and variants thereof (e.g., CFP2,CFP4, CFP4, CFP8), CDFP and variants thereof (e.g., CDFP2, CDFP4, etc.),OIF-MSA-100GLH-EM-01.0—Multisource Agreement for 100G Long-Haul DWDMTransmission Module—Electromechanical (June 2010) (hereinafterMSA-100GLH), CCRx (Compact Coherent Receiver), Quad Small Form-factorPluggable (QSFP) and variants thereof (e.g., QSFP+, QSFP14, QSFP28),10×10 MSA, Octal SFP (OSFP), and the like. Additionally, new MSAs areemerging to address new services, applications, and advanced technology.Each MSA defines the transceiver's mechanical characteristics,management interfaces, electrical characteristics, opticalcharacteristics, and thermal requirements. Because of MSAspecifications, MSA-compliant optical transceivers are standardizedamong equipment vendors and network operators to support multiplesources for optical transceivers and interoperability. As such,MSA-compliant optical transceivers have become the dominant form ofoptical transmitters and receivers in the industry finding widespreadacceptance over proprietary implementations.

Advantageously, MSA-compliant optical transceivers ensure engineeringre-use and compatibility between various applications and the physicalmedia dependent (PMD) transceivers. Further, equipment vendors realizestreamlined manufacturing and inventory control by removing wavelengthspecific decisions from the manufacturing process. For example, all linecards are manufactured the same, and the optical transceiver module withthe desired wavelength (e.g., 850 nm, 1310 nm, 1550 nm, coarse wavedivision multiplexed (CWDM), dense wave division multiplexed (DWDM),etc.) is plugged in as a function of the specific application ordevelopment configuration. Network operators and service providers haveadopted optical transceivers to reduce sparing costs. Further,significant cost reductions are realized by MSA standardization ofoptical transceivers because of multiple independent manufacturingsources. The MSA specifications tightly define the mechanicalcharacteristics, management interfaces, electrical characteristics,optical characteristics, and thermal requirements of opticaltransceivers. Advantageously, this enables interoperability amongequipment vendors of optical transceivers, i.e., any MSA-compatibleoptical transceiver can be used in any host system designed to the MSAspecification; however, these tightly defined characteristics limit theperformance of optical transceivers since the MSA specifications weredesigned to maximize density and minimize cost, and not to provideadvanced optical performance or other integrated functions.

Due to the low-cost, high-density, and widespread deployment of opticaltransceivers, both equipment vendors, and network operators recognize aneed to extend the benefits of optical transceivers to metro, regionaland core network applications to enable carrier-grade wavelengthdivision multiplexed (WDM) transport without the need for additionalequipment such as optical transponders or additional circuitryperformance enhancements. Such a need also must preserve the MSAmechanical characteristics, management interfaces, electricalcharacteristics, optical characteristics, and thermal requirements tomaintain interoperability with existing host systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an exemplary embodiment, an optical transceiver configured to operatein a host device includes an electrical interface communicativelycoupled to the host device to interface electrically with the hostdevice, wherein the optical transceiver is compliant with a Multi-SourceAgreement (MSA) which is supported by the host device; opticaltransceiver components communicatively coupled to the electricalinterface, wherein the optical transceiver components are configured tooptically interface signals with a second optical transceiver to form anoptical link; and electronic dispersion compensation circuitrycommunicatively coupled to the optical transceiver components andconfigured to electronically compensate for optical fiber chromaticand/or polarization mode dispersion associated with the optical link,separate and independent from the host device. The electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry can operate independent of the MSA and istransparent to the host device. The optical transceiver can furtherinclude forward error correction circuitry communicatively coupled tothe electronic dispersion compensation circuitry and the opticaltransceiver components. The forward error correction circuitry canoperate independent and separate from the host device and the MSA. Theforward error correction circuitry and the electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry can be in a same application specific integratedcircuit. The optical transceiver can further include managementinterface circuitry communicatively coupled to the host device via theelectrical interface, wherein the management interface operates based onthe MSA. The management interface circuitry can provide data related tothe electronic dispersion compensation circuitry via communicationmechanisms in the MSA. The optical transceiver can further includeframing circuitry communicatively coupled to the electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry and the optical transceiver components. The MSAcan include a variant of CFP or QSFP.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method implemented by an opticaltransceiver operating in a host device includes electricallycommunicating with the host device via an electrical interface, whereinthe optical transceiver is compliant with a Multi-Source Agreement (MSA)which is supported by the host device; optically communicating with asecond optical transceiver over an optical link via optical transceivercomponents communicatively coupled to the electrical interface; andelectrically compensating dispersion for optical fiber chromatic and/orpolarization mode dispersion associated with the optical link, separateand independent from the host device, via electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry communicatively coupled to the opticaltransceiver components. The electronic dispersion compensation circuitrycan operate independent of the MSA and is transparent to the hostdevice. The method can further include performing forward errorcorrection via forward error correction circuitry communicativelycoupled to the electronic dispersion compensation circuitry and theoptical transceiver components. The forward error correction circuitrycan operate independent and separate from the host device and the MSA.The forward error correction circuitry and the electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry can be in a same application specific integratedcircuit. The method can further include communicating management datawith the host device via management interface circuitry, wherein themanagement interface operates based on the MSA. The management interfacecircuitry can provide data related to the electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry via communication mechanisms in the MSA. Themethod can further include performing framing via framing circuitrycommunicatively coupled to the electronic dispersion compensationcircuitry and the optical transceiver components. The MSA can include avariant of CFP or QSFP.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein withreference to the various drawings of exemplary embodiments, in whichlike reference numbers denote like method steps and/or systemcomponents, respectively, and in which:

FIGS. 1a-1b are block diagrams of optical transceivers included ondevices for wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmission into amultiplexer and an amplifier;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating several MSA specifications foroptical transceivers including XENPAK, X2, and XFP;

FIGS. 3a-3b are block diagrams of existing optical transceivers which donot include circuitry for data encapsulation, integrated G.709 framing,OAM&P, and FEC;

FIGS. 4a-4b are block diagrams of XENPAK, X2, and XPAK opticaltransceivers including integrated circuitry to perform G.709 framing,optical layer OAM&P, and FEC internal to the optical transceiver whilepreserving specifications of the XENPAK, X2, and XPAK MSAs;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a XAUI-XFItransceiver including integrated G.709 framing and FEC includesintegrated circuitry to multiplex/de-multiplex, encode/decode,frame/un-frame, and process overhead and FEC;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an optical transceiver for the XFP, XFP-E,and SFP+ MSAs including a G.709 framer with FEC integrated within theoptical transceiver;

FIG. 7 is a signal flow diagram of an optical transceiver with a MDIObridge to provide a mechanism to communicate to the MDIO from a G.709framer with FEC and from a XAUI serializer/de-serializer (SerDes);

FIG. 8 is a signal flow diagram of a MDIO bridge to perform an addressdecode to split MDIO data between a G.709 framer and a XAUI SerDes;

FIG. 9 is a network diagram of a layered approach to management andmonitoring of sections in an optical network from ITU-T RecommendationG.709;

FIGS. 10a-10b are block diagrams illustrating frame overhead managementdata terminated internally in an optical transceiver or passed to a hostsystem;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of G.709 overhead;

FIGS. 12a-12b are diagrams illustrating frame error reporting in G.709and network discovery and connection management;

FIG. 13 is a graph of the Reed Solomon FEC code, RS (255, 239);

FIG. 14 is a network diagram of an exemplary application of a metro/corering;

FIG. 15 is network diagram of an exemplary application of regional/coreDWDM system;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an XFP optical transceiver for providingEthernet extension and demarcation;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a XENPAK optical transceiver for providingEthernet extension and demarcation;

FIG. 18 is a network diagram illustrating an exemplary application offar end demarcation and control;

FIG. 19 is a table illustrating exemplary remote demarcation OAM&Pfunctions available through optical transceivers;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a conventional SFP module;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an SFP transceiver with integratedframing, FEC, and OAM&P functionality;

FIG. 22 is a table illustrating exemplary specifications for the SFPtransceiver in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a table illustrating exemplary OTN bit rates utilized forvarious signal rates associated with SFP transceivers;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating functionality of an opticaltransceiver with integrated framing functionality, optical layer OAM&P,FEC, data encapsulation, performance monitoring, and alarming;

FIG. 25 is a network diagram with two host systems including multipleoptical transceivers;

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a real-time and historical PM mechanism toprovide current and historical PM values in the optical transceiver ofFIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of G.709 overhead illustrating the support of allsix of the Tandem Connection Monitoring (TCM) overhead bytes;

FIGS. 28-31 are logic diagrams illustrating a mechanism for triggeringthe link alarm status interrupt (LASI) in the XENPAK MSA;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating both system and networkloopbacks in the optical transceiver of FIG. 24;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the optical transceiver of FIG. 24;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view a CFP module;

FIG. 35 is a block diagram of a CFP module with integrated framing, FEC,PMs, OAM&P, alarming, etc. while preserving the CFP MSA specifications;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of an OIF MSA-100GLH module with integratedframing, FEC, PMs, OAM&P, alarming, etc. while preserving the OIFMSA-100GLH MSA specifications;

FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a 10×10 module with integrated framing,FEC, PMs, OAM&P, alarming, etc. while preserving the 10×10 MSAspecifications; and

FIG. 38 is a block diagram of the CFP module of FIG. 35 with integratedamplifiers while preserving the CFP MSA specifications;

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of an OIF MSA-100GLH module of FIG. 36 withintegrated amplifiers while preserving the OIF MSA-100GLH MSAspecifications;

FIG. 40 is a block diagram of a 10×10 module of FIG. 37 with integratedamplifiers while preserving the 10×10 MSA specifications;

FIG. 41 is a block diagram of a transceiver with pluggable amplifierscontained therein;

FIG. 42 is a block diagram of a pluggable optical transceiver supporting40G, 100G, 200G, 400G, etc. with framing and FEC integrated in thepluggable optical transceiver, separate and independent from a hostdevice; and

FIG. 43 is a network diagram of a network utilizing any of the variouspluggable optical transceivers described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure providesintegrated performance monitoring (PM); optical layer operations,administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P); alarming; andother advanced functionality in optical transceivers, such asmulti-source agreement (MSA)-defined modules. The present disclosureprovides an optical transceiver defined by an MSA agreement withintegrated PM and alarming for carrier-grade operation. The integrationpreserves the existing MSA specifications allowing the opticaltransceiver to operate with any compliant MSA host device. Further, thehost device can be configured through software to retrieve the PM andalarming from the optical transceiver. The optical transceiver caninclude CFP and variants thereof (e.g., CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, CXP), CDFP andvariants thereof, MSA-100GLH, CCRx, QSFP and variants thereof (e.g.,QSFP+, QSFP14, QSFP28, QSFP-DD, microQSFP), OSFP, 10×10, XFP, XPAK,XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1a-1b , in exemplary embodiments, opticaltransceivers 110,160 can be included on devices 101,151 for wavelengthdivision multiplexed (WDM) transmission into a multiplexer 130 and anamplifier 140. The devices 101,151 can include servers, routers,Ethernet switches, multi-service provisioning platforms (MSPPs), opticalcross-connects, or any other device with requirements for opticaltransmission. The optical transceivers 110,160 are configured to pluginto a line card, blade, or other device in the devices 101,151 toprovide an optical signal for transmission. The optical transceivers110,160 are designed to specifications such that they can be installedin any device 101,151 designed to host an optical transceiver 110,160.These specifications allow the design of the devices 101,151 to bede-coupled from the design of optical transceivers 110,160.Alternatively, the optical transceivers 110,160 can also be used forsingle wavelength applications, i.e., non-WDM transmission. Further, theoptical transceivers 110,160 can also be interfaced to a transponderclient with the transponder client having access to the far-end client.

FIG. 1a illustrates the prior art with the device 101 equipped withoptical transceivers 110 where the transceivers 110 are designed tosupport native optical line rates such as 9.96 Gbps for SONET OC-192 andSDH STM-64, 10.3 Gbps for GbE LAN PHY, and 10.5 Gbps for 10G FiberChannel. Further, the transceivers 110 do not support G.709 wrappers,FEC, and optical layer OAM&P integrated within the transceiver 110. Thetransceivers 110 are configured to accept an electrical signal and toconvert it to an optical signal without additional functions such asadding G.709 overhead, processing G.709 management bytes, encoding FECoverhead, etc. As such, devices 101 equipped with transceivers 110require transponders such as G.709 transponders 120 to offer G.709wrappers, FEC, and G.709/OTN OAM&P. The transceivers 110 typicallyprovide un-amplified optical reach up to 80 km with no transparency andoptical layer OAM&P.

FIG. 1b illustrates an exemplary embodiment with the device 151 equippedwith optical transceivers 160 where the transceivers 160 include anintegrated G.709 wrapper, FEC, and OAM&P functionality. The transceivers160 remove the need for external transponders to support G.709, FEC, andOAM&P by incorporating these functions internal to the transceiver 160while maintaining the same interface to the device 151 as thetransceiver 110 does with the device 101. This is done by adding theG.709 wrapper, FEC, and OAM&P within the specifications of thetransceiver 110.

Transceivers 160 extend the OTN framework benefits for seamlessinterconnection applications and for OAM&P functions necessary formetro, regional, and core applications. Further, the transceivers 160are configured to transparently transport asynchronous traffic such asIEEE 802.3 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE), 10 Gbps Fiber Channel traffic,or any 10 Gbps constant bit-rate (CBR) traffic seamlessly andefficiently across multiple networks using the OTN framework. Thisremoves the need to sacrifice bandwidth utilization such as in SONETconcatenation or the need to introduce another layer of adaptation suchas generic framing procedure (GFP). Some vendors also want GFP mappingto limit the bandwidth to SONET/SDH rates, and the transceivers 160 canrate limit the client traffic to provide rate compatibility to otherG.709 OTN systems if required.

ITU-T G.709 (Interfaces for the optical transport network (OTN)) is anexample of a framing and data encapsulation technique. Of note, ITU-TG.709/Y.1331 (December 2009) was recently standardized for variouspurposes including covering higher bit rates such as 40G and 100G. G.709is a standardized method for managing optical wavelengths in an opticalnetwork. G.709 allows for transparency in wavelength services,improvement in optical link performance through out-of-band forwarderror correction (FEC), improved management through full transparency,and interoperability with other G.709 clients. G.709 defines a wrapperin which a client signal (e.g. OC-48, STM-16, OC-192, STM-64, 10 GbE, 1GbE, etc.) is encapsulated. The G.709 wrapper includes overhead bytesfor optical layer OAM&P and FEC overhead for error correction.Traditionally, G.709 signals are used in a carrier-grade network toprovide robust performance and OAM&P while transporting client signalswith full transparency. Currently, MSA specifications such as CFP andvariants thereof (e.g., CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, CXP), CDFP and variantsthereof, MSA-100GLH, CCRx, QSFP and variants thereof (e.g., QSFP+,QSFP14, QSFP28, QSFP-DD, microQSFP), 10×10, XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2,XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin, etc. do not address integration of G.709within the optical transceiver.

Referring to FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment, several MSAspecifications currently exist for optical transceivers including, forexample, XENPAK 202, X2 204, and XFP 206. Power and space are limited ineach of the specifications in FIG. 2. The optical MSAs were developedwith the intent to maximize port density; hence the power and foot-printconstraints. The intent of the MSA specifications was to have framing,G.709, FEC, and OAM&P reside outside the optical transceiver. The XFPMSA, for example, states that the XFP transceiver must accept data inputup to 11.1 Gbps FEC rate but not that the functions must be carried outinside the XFP due to the limited space and power available inside theXFP. However, these MSAs do not prevent the addition of additionalfunctions such as G.709, FEC, and OAM&P internal to the opticaltransceiver. The present disclosure provides a system to integrate thesefunctions while maintaining the MSA specifications through the use ofunused, undefined, reserved, optional, etc. communication ports forOAM&P access and circuitry designed to fit within space and powerconstraints of the MSA specification.

The XENPAK 202 MSA supports the proposed 802.3ae IEEE 10 GigabitEthernet (10 GbE) standard and specifies a uniform form factor, size,connector type and electrical pin-outs. XENPAK 202 simplifies managementof architecture shifts and integration, minimizes system costs, ensuresmultiple vendors for market supply, and guarantees thermal performancefor high density 10 GbE ports. XENPAK 202 requires power dissipation ofno more than 6 W for 1310 nm and 850 nm wavelengths and powerdissipation of no more than 10 W for 1550 nm wavelengths. The XENPAK 202MSA is available at www.xenpak.org/MSA.asp and is hereby incorporated byreference.

The X2 204 MSA defines a small form-factor 10 Gbps optical fiber optictransceiver optimized for 802.3ae Ethernet, ANSI/ITUT OC192/STM-64SONET/SDH interfaces, ITU-T G.709, OIF OC192 VSR, INCITS/ANSI 10GFC (10Gigabit Fiber Channel) and other 10 Gigabit applications. X2 204 isphysically smaller than XENPAK 202 but maintains the same electrical I/Ospecification defined by the XENPAK 202 MSA and continues to providerobust thermal performance and electromagnetic shielding. X2 204 usesthe same 70-pin electrical connectors as XENPAK 202 supporting four wireXAUI (10-gigabit attachment unit interface). X2 204 supports an inputsignal of G.709 but does not support framing a non-G.709 signal internalto the optical transceiver and also does not support FEC and opticallayer OAM&P. The X2 204 MSA is available at www.x2msa.org/MSA.asp and ishereby incorporated by reference.

The XFP (10 Gigabit Small Form Factor Optical) 206 is a hot-swappable,protocol independent optical transceiver, typically operating at 1310 nmor 1550 nm, for 10 Gigabit SONET/SDH, Fiber Channel, Gigabit Ethernetand other applications. The XFP 206 MSA is available from www.xfpmsa.organd is hereby incorporated by reference. The XFP 206 MSA defines aspecification for a module, cage hardware, and IC interfaces for a 10Gbps hot optical module converting serial electrical signals to externalserial optical or electrical signals. The technology is intended to beflexible enough to support bit rates between 9.95 Gbps and 11.1 Gbps forservices such as OC-192/STM-64, 10G Fiber Channel, G.709, and 10GEthernet. XFP 206 supports native G.709 signals but does not support theability to frame a non-G.709 signal into a G.709 wrapper with FEC andOAM&P internal to the XFP 206 module. Currently, these features are doneexternal to the XFP 206 module and a G.709 signal is sent to the XFP 206module for optical transmission. XFP-E (not shown in FIG. 2) is anextension of the XFP 206 MSA for ultra-long haul DWDM applications andtunable optical transmitters.

XPAK (not shown in FIG. 2) is a reduced-sized, optical 10 GigabitEthernet (GbE) module customized for enterprise, storage area network(SAN), and switching center market segment applications. The XPAKspecifications define mechanical, thermal, and electromagneticinterference (EMI) mitigation features of the form factor, as well asreference 10-GbE optical and XENPAK 202 MSA electrical specifications.XPAK offers higher density and better power efficiency than XENPAK 202and offers 10 GbE links up to 10 km and eventually 40 km. The SFP+ (notshown in FIG. 2) MSA is a specification for an optical, hot-swappableoptical interface for SONET/SDH, Fiber Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, andother applications. SFP+ is designed for up to 80 km reach and supportsa full range of applications. SFP+ is similar in size and power with theXFP 206 specification and similarly, accepts a serial electrical input.

The CFP and variants thereof (e.g., CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, CXP), CDFP andvariants thereof, MSA-100GLH, CCRx, QSFP and variants thereof (e.g.,QSFP+, QSFP14, QSFP28, QSFP-DD, microQSFP), 10×10, XFP, XPAK, XENPAK,X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin MSA all share similar design constraintsin power and space. Some of these MSAs have been designed to acceptG.709 framed signals (i.e., 10.7 Gbps and 11.1 Gbps), but the MSAs donot disclose integrated G.709 framing, optical layer OAM&P, and FECinternal to the optical transceivers. MSAs define input signalinterfaces, mechanical, thermal, and software management interfaces. Thepresent disclosure introduces G.709 framing, OAM&P, and FEC withoutchanging any of the MSA interfaces or mechanical characteristics.

Referring to FIGS. 3a-3b , in exemplary embodiments, existing opticaltransceivers do not include circuitry for data encapsulation, integratedG.709 framing, OAM&P, and FEC. FIG. 5a illustrates a functional blockdiagram of a XENPAK, XPAK, and X2 optical transceiver 300, and FIG. 5billustrates a functional block diagram of an XFP, XFP-E, and SFP+optical transceiver 350. In FIG. 3a , the XENPAK, XPAK, and X2 opticaltransceiver 300 includes an optical module 310 connected to a clock anddata recovery (CDR) 306 module which is connected to a XAUI-XFItransceiver 304. Typically the CDR 306 can be integrated into theXAUI-XFI transceiver 304. The XAUI-XFI transceiver 304 is configured toconnect to a host device with a XAUI interface 302. The host deviceincludes a socket in which the optical transceiver 300 plugs into toconnect to the host 302. XAUI is a 4×3.125 Gbps electrical connectioncompliant with the IEEE 802.3ae 10 GbE specification. XFI is a standardinterface for connecting 10 Gig Ethernet MAC devices to an opticalinterface. The XAUI-XFI transceiver 304 includesmultiplexer/demultiplexer functions and encoding/decoding functions toperform 8B/10B and 64B/66B coding. XAUI provides four lanes running at3.125 Gbps using 8B/10B encoding and XFI provides a single lane runningat 10.3125 Gbps using 64B/66B encoding. Additionally, the XAUI-XFItransceiver 304 can include a SONET framer called a WAN InterfaceSublayer (WIS).

The XAUI-XFI transceiver 304 accepts the XAUI signal and converts itinto a serial connection such as a 10.3125 Gbps XFI signal fortransmission by the optical module 310. The optical module 310 includesa transmitter (TX) 312 and a receiver (RX) 314. The TX/RX 312,314 caninclude 850 nm, 1310 nm, 1550 nm, DWDM, CWDM, and the like depending onthe application requirements. The TX/RX 312,314 connect to the CDR 306module where a clock is generated by retrieving the phase information ofan input signal, and retiming occurs on an output signal. In someembodiments, the functionality of the CDR 306 is included in theXAUI-XFI transceiver 304. While the optical transceiver 300 providesfunctionality to convert between XAUI and XFI, the transceiver 300 doesnot include integrated G.709 framing, OTN layer OAM&P (e.g., ITU-TG.798, G.826, G.8201, etc.), and FEC functionality.

Additionally, the optical transceiver 300 includes management datainput/output (MDIO) 316 and digital optical monitoring (DOM) 318 forcommunications and performance monitoring between the transceiver 300and the host 302. MDIO 316 is a standards-driven, dedicated-bus approachthat is specified by IEEE workgroup 802.3. The MDIO 316 interface isimplemented by two pins, a MDIO pin, and a Management Data Clock (MDC)pin. The MDIO 316 interface is defined in relation to the accessing andmodification of various registers within physical-layer (PHY) devices,and how they relate to connecting to media access controllers (MACs) in1- and 10-Gbit/s Ethernet solutions. One MDIO 316 interface can accessup to 32 registers, in 32 different devices. A device driving a MDIO 316bus is called a station management entity (STA), and the device beingmanaged by the STA is called the MDIO Manageable Device (MMD). The STAdrives the MDC line. It initiates a command using a MDIO frame andprovides the target register address. During a write command, the STAalso provides the data. In the case of a read command, the MMD takesover the bus and supplies the STA with the data. DOM 318 is an opticalmonitoring scheme utilized by each MSA specification for performancemonitoring on the optical transceiver. For example, the DOM 318 canprovide performance monitoring data such as optical output power,optical input power, laser bias current, etc. While DOM 318 providessome performance monitoring capabilities, it does not provide OTN OAM&Pcapable of operating carrier-grade networks. DOM 318 providescomponent-level performance monitoring information, and DOM 318 does notprovide optical link layer OAM&P.

In FIG. 3b , the XFP and XFP-E optical transceiver 350 includes a clockand data recovery (CDR) 354 module configured to accept a serial inputfrom a host with a 10G serial interface 352. The CDR 354 modulegenerates a clock by retrieving the phase information of an inputsignal, and retiming occurs on an output signal. The CDR 354 moduleconnects to an optical module 360 which includes a transmitter (TX) 362and a receiver (RX) 364. The TX/RX 362,364 can include 850 nm, 1310 nm,1550 nm, DWDM, CWDM, and the like depending on the applicationrequirements. Additionally, the optical transceiver 350 includes aninter-integrated circuit (I2C) 370 serial bus. I2C is a serialcommunications bus through which an optical transceiver 350, such asXFP, XFP-E, SFP, and SFP+, communicates to the host system. The opticaltransceiver 350 provides no multiplexer/demultiplexer orencoding/decoding functionality and solely provides an electrical tooptical conversion of a signal. Similar to the XENPAK, XPAK, and X2optical transceiver 300, the XFP, XFP-E, and SFP+ optical transceiver350 provides no G.709 framing, OAM&P, and FEC functionality. Note,existing SFP and SFP+ optical transceivers are different. SFP opticaltransceivers do not include the CDR 354, and the CDR 354 is located inthe host.

Referring to FIGS. 4a-4b , in an exemplary embodiment, XENPAK, X2, andXPAK optical transceivers 400,450 include integrated circuitry toperform G.709 framing, optical layer OAM&P, and FEC internal to theoptical transceiver 400,450 while preserving the power, space, andcommunication specifications of the XENPAK, X2, and XPAK MSAs. FIG. 4aillustrates an optical transceiver 400 with G.709 framing circuitryexternal to a XAUI-XFI transceiver 304. FIG. 4b illustrates an opticaltransceiver 450 with G.709 framing circuitry integrated within aXAUI-XFI transceiver 460. Optionally, both optical transceivers 400,450can also include an electrical dispersion compensation (EDC) 408 module.

In FIG. 4a , the optical transceiver 400 includes the same functionalityas the optical transceiver 300 in FIG. 3a with a XAUI-XFI transceiver304, a CDR 306 module, an optical module 310, MDIO 316, and DOM 318.Additionally, the optical transceiver 400 includes a G.709 framer withFEC 404 which is configured to frame an input signal to the transceiver400 with a G.709 compliant frame. Further, the G.709 framer 404 isconfigured to provide optical layer OAM&P on the G.709 frame and toprovide FEC through the G.709 frame. Additionally, the EDC 408 can belocated behind the CDR 306 for some designs. The optical transceiver 400includes two multiplexers/de-multiplexers 402,406 connected to the G.709framer with FEC 404. The input and output from the XAUI-XFI transceiver304 is a 10 Gbps XFI signal. The multiplexer/demultiplexer 402 isconfigured to adapt the input and output from the XAUI-XFI transceiver304 to an appropriate rate for the G.709 framer with FEC 404 to operateon the signal to perform framing, OAM&P, and FEC. The input and outputto the CDR 306 is a 10 Gbps XFI signal. The multiplexer/demultiplexer406 is configured to adapt the input and output from the G.709 framerwith FEC 404 back to the XFI rate for input and output to the CDR 306.Optionally, the multiplexer/de-multiplexer 406 can be integrated withthe FEC 404 and the CDR 306 in a single chip. Also, themultiplexer/de-multiplexer 406 are not necessary and can be optional inthe design (i.e., the FEC 404 can stand alone without themultiplexer/de-multiplexer 406).

In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4a-4b , the G.709 framer with FEC404 is configured to accept an unframed signal such as a 10 GbE or 10GFC signal from the XAUI-XFI transceiver 304 and to pass a G.709 framedsignal to the CDR 306. The G.709 framer with FEC 404 includes integratedcircuitry to add a G.709 frame to the unframed signal including G.709OAM&P and FEC and to pass the framed signal to the CDR 306. Further, theG.709 framer with FEC 404 includes integrated circuitry to remove aG.709 frame including processing the G.709 OAM&P and FEC and to pass theunframed signal to the XAUI-XFI transceiver 304. The G.709 frameincludes overhead bytes for OAM&P and FEC data.

The G.709 framer with FEC 404 is configured to pass overhead to the host302 either through the MDIO 316 or through a direct connection. Usingthe MDIO 316, the optical transceiver 400 utilizes unused, undefined,reserved, or optional MDIO 316 registers to communicate overhead data ina manner fully supported by the MSA specifications. For example, theXENPAK, XPAK, and X2 MSAs include unused, undefined, reserved, oroptional registers which can be used to implement advanced features suchas passing management overhead externally from the optical transceiver400. These registers can be used both for passing G.709 OAM&P and FECinformation when the overhead is terminated on the transceiver 400. Inthe case of terminating the overhead on the transceiver 400, a subset ofG.709 overhead is terminated due to limitations in the MDIO 316 access.The present disclosure can provide all or a subset of G.709 OAM&P tocomply with the communication requirements in the MSAs. Additionally,the G.709 framer with FEC 404 can be configured to pass the entire G.709overhead to the host 302 through a direct connection. The G.709 framerwith FEC 404 is an integrated circuit such as a custom built applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC). The design of G.709 framer with FEC404 is such to minimize power dissipation, and each device is designedfor power consumption to ensure the optical transceiver 400 preservesthe XPAK, XENPAK, and X2 MSA specifications.

Additionally, the G.709 framer with FEC 404 is configured to add/removeand process FEC overhead on an optical signal. The addition of FEC inthe optical transceiver 400 provides an additional 6 to 9 dB of codinggain that can provide improved link budgets, higher system margins forrobust connections, relaxed specifications on the optical components,real-time monitoring of the link health status and historical BER data,and real-time monitoring of link degradation without affecting thequality of the link. In one exemplary embodiment, the FEC isReed-Solomon (255, 239) code as defined in G.709 and is capable ofcorrecting eight symbol errors per block. Additionally, the presentdisclosure can be modified by one skilled in the art to enable otherframing and FEC techniques on optical transceivers 400.

In FIG. 4b , the optical transceiver 450 includes the same functionalityas the optical transceiver 300 in FIG. 3a with a XAUI-XFI transceiverincluding an integrated G.709 framer with FEC 460, a CDR 306 module, anoptical module 310, MDIO 316, and DOM 318. The optical transceiver 450includes G.709 framing, OAM&P, and FEC within the XAUI-XFI transceiver460. The XAUI-XFI transceiver 460 includes the same functionality as thecomponents 304,402,404,406 in FIG. 4a in a single module. For example,the XAUI-XFI transceiver 460 can include a single ASIC combining theXAUI-XFI transceiver functionality with multiplexer/de-multiplexer,G.709 framing, OAM&P, and FEC functionality. Additionally, the XAUI-XFItransceiver 460 can include the CDR 406 functionality, removing the needfor a separate module.

Optionally, the optical transceivers 400,450 can include an electronicdispersion compensating (EDC) 408 circuit configured to electronicallycompensate for the optical fiber chromatic and/or polarization modedispersion on the TX 312 and RX 314. The EDC 408 circuit removes therequirement to include dispersion compensating elements such asdispersion compensating fiber (DCF) in-line with the opticaltransceivers 400,450. Such DCF modules increase system cost and reducesystem performance. Additionally, the EDC 408 can include thefunctionality of the CDR 306, removing the need to have a separate CDR306 circuit.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of a XAUI-XFI transceiver500 including integrated G.709 framing and FEC includes integratedcircuitry to multiplex/de-multiplex, encode/decode, frame/un-frame, andprocess overhead and FEC. XAUI clock and data recovery (CDR) 505 inputsare configured to accept four 3.125 Gbps signals from a host system, toretime, recover the clock, and pass the four 3.125 Gbps signals to a PHYXS 8B/10B decoder 515. The decoder 515 is configured to de-multiplexfour XAUI signals running at 3.125 Gbps using 8B/10B encoding and passthe output to a physical coding sub-layer (PCS) 525 module. The PCS 525module performs 64B/66B encoding to provide a single lane XFI signalrunning at 10.3125 Gbps and PCS scrambling. The PCS 525 module outputsto a G.709 framer 535.

The G.709 framer 535 accepts an output from the PCS 525 module andde-multiplexes it to an appropriate rate for the G.709 framer 535 tooperate on the signal. The G.709 framer 535 is configured to provideG.709 framing, G.709 scrambling, FEC encoding, and G.709 overheadprocessing. The G.709 framer 535 is configured to communicate with theMDIO 550 utilizing unused, undefined, reserved, or optional registers tocommunicate overhead to the host system or to communicate through adirect connection to receive G.709 overhead from the host system.Further, the G.709 framer 535 multiplexes the framed signal to input thesignal to an optical transmitter of the transceiver 500.

A receiver (RX) clock and data recovery circuit 545 is configured toaccept an input from an optical receiver external to the transceiver 500and to retime, recover the clock, and pass the inputted signal to aG.709 de-framer 540. The G.709 de-framer 540 de-multiplexes the signalto an appropriate rate for the G.709 de-framer 540 to operate on thesignal. The G.709 de-framer 540 is configured to provide G.709de-framing, G.709 de-scrambling, FEC decoding, and G.709 overheadprocessing. The G.709 de-framer 540 is configured to communicate withthe MDIO 550 utilizing unused, undefined, reserved, or optionalregisters to communicate overhead to the host system or to communicatethrough a direct connection to pass G.709 overhead to the host system.Further, the G.709 de-framer 540 provides an unframed signal to a PCS530 module.

The PCS 530 module performs 64B/66B decoding and PCS de-scrambling. ThePCS 530 module outputs to a PHY XS 8B/10B encoder 520. The encode 520 isconfigured to de-multiplex an XFI signal into four XAUI signals runningat 3.125 Gbps using 8B/10B encoding and pass the output to four XAUIdrivers 510. The XAUI drivers 510 provide four 3.125 Gbps signals to thehost system. Additionally, the XAUI-XFI transceiver 500 includes aserial packet interface (SPI) and I2C interface 555 for communicationsto the host system. The MDIO 550 interface is utilized to providestandard MSA-compliant communications to the host system. Additionally,the present disclosure utilizes the MDIO 550 to communicate a subset ofOAM&P and FEC overhead to the host system from the G.709 framer 535 andG.709 de-framer 540 through unused, undefined, reserved or optional MDIOregisters.

Referring to FIG. 6, in another exemplary embodiment, an opticaltransceiver 600 for the XFP, XFP-E, and SFP+ MSAs includes a G.709framer with FEC 604 integrated within the transceiver 600. The opticaltransceiver 600 includes the same functionality as the opticaltransceiver 350 in FIG. 3b with a CDR 354 module, an optical module 360,and an I2C 670. Additionally, the optical transceiver 600 includes aG.709 framer with FEC 604 which is configured to frame an input signalto the transceiver 600 with a G.709 compliant frame. Further, the G.709framer 604 is configured to provide optical layer OAM&P on the G.709frame and to provide FEC through the G.709 frame.

The optical transceiver 600 includes two multiplexers/de-multiplexers602,606 connected to the G.709 framer with FEC 604. The input and outputfrom the CDR 354 is a 10 Gbps serial signal. Themultiplexer/demultiplexer 602 is configured to adapt the input andoutput from a host with a 10 Gbps serial interface 352 to an appropriaterate for the G.709 framer with FEC 604 to operate on the signal toperform framing, OAM&P, and FEC. The input and output to the CDR 354 isa 10 Gbps serial signal. The multiplexer/demultiplexer 606 is configuredto adapt the input and output from the G.709 framer with FEC 604 back tothe 10 Gbps rate for input and output from the CDR 354.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the G.709 framer with FEC 604 isconfigured to accept an unframed signal such as a 10 GbE or 10G FCsignal or a framed signal such as an OC-192 or STM-64 from the host 352and to pass a G.709 framed signal to the CDR 354. The G.709 framer withFEC 604 includes integrated circuitry to add a G.709 frame to theunframed signal including G.709 OAM&P and FEC and to pass the framedsignal to the CDR 406. Further, the G.709 framer with FEC 604 includesintegrated circuitry to remove a G.709 frame including processing theG.709 OAM&P and FEC and to pass the unframed signal to the host 352. TheG.709 frame includes overhead bytes for OAM&P and FEC data.

The G.709 framer with FEC 604 is configured to pass overhead to the host352 either through the I2C 370 or through a direct connection. Using theI2C 370, the optical transceiver 600 communicates overhead data in amanner fully supported by the MSA specifications. In the case ofterminating the overhead on the transceiver 600, a subset of G.709overhead is terminated due to limitations in the I2C 370 access. Thepresent disclosure provides a subset of G.709 OAM&P to comply with thecommunication requirements in the MSAs. Additionally, the G.709 framerwith FEC 604 can be configured to pass the entire G.709 overhead to thehost 352 through a direct connection. The G.709 framer with FEC 604 isan integrated circuit such as a custom built application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC). The design of G.709 framer with FEC 604 issuch to minimize power dissipation and to keep the power as small aspossible to fit within thermal requirements of the host system. Further,the functionality of the multiplexer/demultiplexer 602,606 and the CDR354 can be integrated within the G.709 framer with FEC 604 in a singleASIC.

Additionally, the G.709 framer with FEC 604 is configured to add/removeand process FEC overhead on an optical signal. The addition of FEC inthe optical transceiver 600 provides an additional 6 to 9 dB of codinggain that can provide improved link budgets, higher system margins forrobust connections, relaxed specifications on the optical components,real-time monitoring of the link health status and historical BER data,and real-time monitoring of link degradation without affecting thequality of the link. In one exemplary embodiment, the FEC isReed-Solomon (255, 239) code as defined in G.709 and is capable ofcorrecting eight symbol errors per block. Additionally, the presentdisclosure can be modified by one skilled in the art to enable otherframing and FEC techniques on optical transceivers 600.

Optionally, the optical transceiver 600 can include an electronicdispersion compensating (EDC) 608 circuit configured to electronicallycompensate for the optical fiber chromatic and/or polarization modedispersion on the TX 362 and RX 364. The EDC 608 circuit removes therequirement to include dispersion compensating elements such asdispersion compensating fiber (DCF) in-line with the optical transceiver600. Such DCF modules increase system cost and reduce systemperformance. Additionally, the EDC 608 can include the functionality ofthe CDR 354, removing the need to have a separate CDR 354 circuit. TheG.709 framer with FEC 404,604 and XAUI-XFI transceiver includingintegrated G.709 framer with FEC 460 in FIGS. 6a, 6b , and 8 can beadded to any optical transceiver. These include currently defined MSAssuch as XENPAK, X2, XPAK, XFP, XFP-E, and SFP+ as well as new andemerging specifications which do not incorporate framing integrated withthe optical transceiver.

Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of an optical transceiver700 with a MDIO bridge provides a mechanism in the present disclosure tocommunicate to the MDIO from a G.709 framer with FEC 708 and from a XAUIserializer/de-serializer (SerDes) 710. The MDIO bridge preserves thestandard MDIO functionality found in MSA specifications such as XENPAK,XPAK, and X2 and allows the G.709 framer with FEC 708 to communicateutilizing the same MDIO. As such, a host system configured tocommunicate with an optical transceiver can operate with an opticaltransceiver 700 with an integrated G.709 framer. The host system can bemodified in software only to receive MDIO communications from the MDIObridge. The optical transceiver 700 includes a transmitter (TX) 702 anda receiver (RX) 704 connected at 10 Gbps to a SFI-4 SerDes 706. SFI-4 isSerDes Framer Interface standard level 4 from the OpticalInternetworking Forum (OIF). SFI-4 is one example of an interface to theG.709 framer 708. Other interfaces to the G.709 frame can include XGMII,XFI, and XAUI. The SFI-4 SerDes 706 connects to the G.709 framer 708with an SFI 4.1 signal. The G.709 framer 708 connects at 10 Gbps to theXAUI SerDes 710 which in turn connects to a host device.

The MDIO bridge includes a control field programmable gate array (FPGA)716 which is configured to bridge the MDIO interface between the G.709framer 708 and the XAUI SerDes 710. The FPGA 716 connects to the G.709framer 708 and to the XAUI SerDes 710 and provides a single externalMDIO 720 interface to the host device. This external MDIO interface 720includes data from both the XAUI SerDes 710 and the G.709 framer 708.The FPGA 716 connects to the XAUI SerDes 710 through a XAUI MDIO 718connection and to the G.709 framer 708 through a parallel microprocessorbus 712. Additionally, the FPGA 716 provides discrete control and status714 to the SFI-4 SerDes 706. The FPGA 716 has a serial packet interface(SPI) to a processor 724 which in turn has a 2-wire input/output (I/O)connection 726 to the XAUI SerDes 710 and an SPI interface to anotherprocessor 722. The FPGA 716 is configured to decode MDIO addresses andpass MDIO data between both the G.709 framer 708 and the XAUI SerDes710. Also, the FPGA 716 is configured to combine MDIO data from both theG.709 framer 708 and the XAUI SerDes 710 to the external MDIO 720. Assuch, the MDIO bridge provides a mechanism for a single, MSA-compliantMDIO interface to operate with the additional circuitry of the G.709framer with FEC 708.

Referring to FIG. 8, in an exemplary embodiment, the MDIO bridgeperforms an address decode 802 to split MDIO data between the G.709framer and the XAUI SerDes. The address decode 802 receives/transmitsMDIO data to/from the host device and checks the MDIO address. If theMDIO is a specific address, then the address decode sends it to decode804. If not, then the address decode 802 sends it to the XAUI SerDes.For example, if the MDIO address is 31, then the address is sent todecode 804. If the address is not 31, then it sends the data to the XAUISerDes. The address corresponds to the register in the MDIO, andregister 31 can be undefined in some of the MSA specifications allowingregister 31 to be used to pass overhead between the G.709 framer and thehost system. Any other register in the MDIO which is undefined can beused to pass overhead. The decode 804 determines whether the data withaddress 31 should go to the parallel microprocessor bus to the G.709framer or to the SFI-4 SerDes for discrete status and control.Additionally, the present disclosure can perform processing of overheadonboard the optical transceiver, such as in the FEC chip and the like.The overhead is analyzed to provide the overhead in a readable format toa user. The MDIO can be utilized to pass analyzed overhead to a hostsystem.

Referring to FIG. 9, ITU-T Recommendation G.798 defines a layeredapproach to management and monitoring of sections in an optical network900. G.798 provides for transparency in wavelength services, improvementin optical link performance through out-of-band forward error correction(FEC), improved management through full transparency, andinteroperability with other G.709 clients. G.709 defines a wrapper inwhich a client signal is encapsulated. The G.709 wrapper includesoverhead bytes for optical layer OAM&P and FEC overhead for errorcorrection. G.709 provides the framing, alarms and PM error information.G.826 and G.8201 explain how to display the PMs. G.975 and G.975.1specify the FEC algorithms.

The optical network 900 includes client devices 930,980 each equippedwith one or more optical transceivers 160. The optical transceivers 160of the client device 930 are connected to an optical terminal 940, anoptical transport unit (OTU) regen 950, an in-line line amplifier (ILA)960, and a second optical terminal 970 which is connected to the opticaltransceivers 160 of the second client device 980. The optical channeldata unit (ODU) 910 layer is between optical client elements. In theexample of FIG. 11, the ODU 910 layer is between each opticaltransceiver 160 of the first client device 930 and each opticaltransceiver 160 of the second client device 980. The ODU 910 layer issimilar to the line layer in the SONET standard. The optical transportunit (OTU) 920 is between the OTU regen 950 and each of the opticaltransceivers 160 of the client devices 930,980 similar to the SONETsection layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, G.709 framing is integrated into opticaltransceivers specified by MSAs such as CFP and variants thereof (e.g.,CFP2, CFP4, CXP), CDFP and variants thereof (e.g., CDFP2, CDFP4, etc.),MSA-100GLH, CCRx, QSFP and variants thereof (e.g., future QSFP+, QSFP2),10×10, XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin, and the like.The G.709 framing in the optical transceivers provides the ability tomonitor OAM&P associated with the G.709 ODU 910 and OTU 920 layers toenable optical layer OAM&P functions necessary for metro, regional andcore applications direct from optical transceivers. The monitoring ofthe ODU 910 and OTU 920 layers allows isolation of OAM&P and errormonitoring between optical sections of the optical transceivers.Further, the optical transceivers are capable of being monitored byindustry-compliant network management systems (NMS) through the I2C orMDIO. The optical transceivers of the present disclosure can support anyframing method capable of OAM&P at the optical layer in addition toG.709.

Referring to FIGS. 10a-10b , the present disclosure terminates frameoverhead management data internally in an optical transceiver or passesthe frame overhead management data to a host system. In FIG. 12a , theMDIO or I2C 1020 is configured for on-chip OAM&P access in an opticaltransceiver 1000. The optical transceiver 1000 includes circuitry toframe an incoming signal, to add FEC to the signal, and to manage theoptical output signal through OAM&P mechanisms. For example, the opticaltransceiver 1000 can include a XENPAK, XPAK, or X2 MSA type transceiverconfigured to accept XAUI inputs and provide an XFI output with theframing circuitry configured to provide a G.709 optical signal with theXFI signal encapsulated.

The optical transceiver 1000 includes circuitry configured to manageOAM&P through the frame overhead. In an example embodiment, the framingtechnique is G.709, and the optical transceiver 1000 is configured toterminate selected overhead bytes from the G.709 overhead to provide foroptical layer OAM&P. The data terminated from these bytes can beprovided to the host system (i.e., line card, blade) throughvendor-specific (i.e., unused, undefined, reserved, or optional) MDIOregisters in the MSA specification. For example, XENPAK, XPAK, and X2include MDIO registers reserved for future use. OAM&P access can beimplemented on these registers while maintaining compliance with the MSAspecification. Optical transceiver 1000 provides access to a subset ofG.709 management overhead similar to WAN PHY in that it does notterminate all OAM&P on G.709 due to power, space, and host communicationconstraints, but it does allow for carrier-grade OAM&P on thetransceiver 1000 without the extra features not currently defined orcommonly used. From a hardware perspective, the host system is designedto read the MDIO according to the MSA specification. The host system canbe modified through software only to read and process the OAM&P datareceived on the MDIO registers.

With regards to XFP, XFP-E, SFP, and SFP+, the OAM&P data access is donethrough the inter-integrated circuit (I2C) serial bus. I2C is a serialcommunications bus through which an optical transceiver, such as XFP,XFP-E, and SFP+, communicates to the host system. DOM 1010 is amonitoring scheme for physical layer parameters utilized by each MSAspecification for performance monitoring on the optical transceiver. Forexample, the DOM 1010 can provide PMs such as optical output power,optical input power, laser bias current, etc.

In FIG. 10b , the frame overhead is configured to pass the frameoverhead off-chip in an optical transceiver 1050 to a field programmablegate assembly (FPGA) 1060 for terminating the entire frame overhead. Theoptical transceiver 1050 includes circuitry to frame an incoming signal,to add FEC to the signal, and to manage the optical output signalthrough OAM&P mechanisms. For example, the optical transceiver 1050 caninclude a XENPAK, XPAK, or X2 MSA type transceiver configured to acceptXAUI inputs and provide an XFI output with the framing circuitryconfigured to provide a G.709 optical signal with the XFI signalencapsulated. The optical transceiver 1050 includes circuitry configuredto manage OAM&P through the frame overhead. In an example embodiment,the framing technique is G.709, and the optical transceiver 1050 isconfigured to terminate selected overhead bytes from the G.709 overheadto provide for optical layer OAM&P. The data terminated from these bytescan be provided to the host system (i.e., line card, blade) through theFPGA 1060. The host system can be modified to receive and process all ofthe OAM&P from the FPGA 1060. Additionally, FIGS. 10a-10b can include anXFI 10G serial input to both the optical transceiver 1000, 1050 insteadof a XAUI interface.

Referring to FIG. 11, the G.709 overhead 1100 is partitioned into OTUframe alignment bytes in row 1, columns 1-7; ODU overhead bytes in rows2-4, columns 1-14; OTU overhead bytes in row 1, columns 8-14; and OPUoverhead in rows 1-4, columns 15-16. Further, the G.709 overhead 1100includes FEC data (not shown) in the frame. As discussed in FIGS.12a-12b , the present disclosure discloses two methods of terminatingframe management overhead by either terminating a subset of the overheadin the optical transceiver or by passing the entire overhead off-chip tothe host system. In an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 11 depicts an exampleof the subset of G.709 overhead that is terminated on-chip in theoptical transceiver.

The subset of G.709 overhead terminated on chip includes the framealignment signal (FAS) bytes and the multi-frame alignment signal (MFAS)which are the OTU frame alignment bytes. Also, the subset of G.709overhead includes the section monitoring (SM) bytes and the pathmonitoring (PM) bytes to provide optical layer error management betweenoptical section and path in G.709. The SM bytes include dedicated BIP-8monitoring to cover the payload signal, and these are accessible at eachoptical transceiver. The first byte of the SM used for Trail TraceIdentifier (TTI) which is a 64-byte character string similar to asection trace in SONET. The SM/PM bytes include dedicated BIP-8monitoring to cover the payload signal, and these are accessible at eachoptical transceiver. The first byte of the SM/PM is used for TTI whichis similar to path trace in SONET. The general communication channel 0(GCC0) bytes provide a communications channel between adjacent G.709nodes.

Additionally, the subset of G.709 overhead terminated on chip includesthe payload signal identifier (PSI), justification control (JC), andnegative justification opportunity (NJO). For asynchronous clients suchas 10 GbE and 10G FC, NJO and PJO are used as stuff bytes similar toPDH. If the client rate is lower than OPU rate, then extra stuffingbytes may be inserted to fill out the OPU. Similarly, if the incomingsignal to the optical transceiver is slightly higher than the OPU rate,NJO and PJO bytes may be replaced with signal information, i.e., the OPUpayload capacity is increased slightly to accommodate the extra trafficon the optical transceiver, and the JC bytes reflect whether NJO and PJOare data or stuff bytes the JC bytes are used at the off-ramp tocorrectly de-map the signal. The PSI provides an identification of thepayload signal.

Because the current MSA specifications were never envisioned to carryfull OAM&P overhead data on and off an optical transceiver, the presentdisclosure provides a subset of OAM&P access to minimize power, space,cost, and host communications in the circuitry on the opticaltransceiver to fit within the MSA specification and to continue offeringthe benefits of optical transceivers such as low cost. However, thissubset of OAM&P still allows network operators to realize carrier-gradeoptical layer performance monitoring directly off optical transceiverswithout additional hardware. Further, the above exemplary embodimentwith G.709 OAM&P can be utilized in any framing technique on an opticaltransceiver. The subset of G.709 overhead terminated in FIG. 13 can bemodified depending on the application requirements.

In an exemplary embodiment, unused, undefined, reserved, or optionalbytes in the G.709 overhead 1100 can be utilized to create a closed loopcommunications channel between a near end and a far end opticaltransceiver. For example, the EXP (experimental) overhead in the ODUpath overhead could be used. The EXP overhead does not impact thepayload bit rate or transparency and is transparent to OTU regenerators.The closed-loop communications channel can be configured to providefar-end PM counts, far end loopback initiation and release, far end PRBSinjection, far end alarms, far end general communications, and the like.The closed-loop communications channel can be utilized for accessing thefar end optical transceiver in the Ethernet demarcation application.Here, the far end optical transceiver can be configured to not provideOAM&P to a remote host system since the host system is a CPE devicewhich likely is not configured for accessing OAM&P from the opticaltransceiver. Instead, the far end provides its OAM&P to the near endthrough the communications channel allowing for Ethernet demarcation atthe far end to be monitored and executed locally.

Referring to FIGS. 12a-12b , an exemplary embodiment of frame errorreporting in G.709 is depicted in FIG. 12a and an exemplary embodimentof network discovery and connection management are depicted in FIG. 12b. FIG. 12a includes a table 1200 illustrating local faults 1 such as aBIP-8 error, fault (loss-of-signal, loss-of-frame, alarm indicationsignal, etc.), and framing error along with the corresponding backwardstatus 2. Network element 1210 is equipped with an optical transceiver160 equipped with a TX and RX and configured to provide overhead andframing internal to the transceiver 160. The local fault 1 is seen onthe RX side of transceiver 160, and the corresponding backward status 2is transmitted over the overhead. In an exemplary embodiment, the MDIOreports OTU BIP-8 error counts for the near end (NE) and far end (FE) ina 16-bit register, ODU BIP-8 error counts for the NE and FE in a 16-bitregister and the corrected FEC error count for the NE in a 32-bitregister.

FIG. 12b includes a table 1250 illustrating a TTI byte used forconnection management and network discovery. The optical transceiver ofthe present disclosure includes OTU and ODU trail trace identifier (TTI)support through, for example, the 64-byte G.709 standard implementationwhich includes a 16-byte Source Access Point Identifier(SAPI)/Destination Access Point Identifier (DAPI), and a 32-byte userspecific field. Further, the optical transceiver supports a TTI mismatchalarm. The TTI mismatch alarm can be utilized in troubleshooting fibermisconnection issues.

In an exemplary embodiment, providing G.709 framing support in anoptical transceiver, the optical transceiver can be configured toprovide support of G.709 standardized alarms for fault isolation at thefar or near end including:

Alarms Description LOS Loss of Signal LOF Loss of Frame OOF Out of FrameOOM Out of Multi Frame OTU-AIS Alarm Indication Signal OTU-IAE IncomingAlignment Error OTU-BDI Backward Defect Indicator ODU-AIS AlarmIndication Signal ODU-OCI Open Connection indicator ODU-LCK LockedODU-BDI Backward Error indicator. FAS Frame Alignment Error MFAS MultiFrame Alignment Error OTU TTI-M OTU TTI Mismatch ODU TTI-M ODU TTIMismatch

Further, the MDIO interface provides full control support of the opticaltransceiver including:

Control Description Loopback Loopback towards client Loopback Loopbacktowards line Low Power Low Power mode Reset Reset PRBS31 enable PRBSpayload test pattern Test Pattern Selection Square Wave or MixedFrequency

Further, the optical transceiver module status and error registersinclude the following:

Status Description Fault Fault Yes/No Link Status Link Up or Down PMsRegisters OTU BIP NE OTU BIP Errors - Near End OTU BIP FE OTU BIPErrors - Far End ODU BIP NE ODU BIP Errors - Near End ODU BIP FE ODU BIPErrors - Far End OTU FEC Corrected OTU FEC Corrected OTU Uncorrectederrors OTU Uncorrected errors BER Bit Error Rate

Referring to FIG. 13, the Reed Solomon FEC code, RS (255, 239), provides6 dB or more of coding gain to an optical signal. FEC codes operate byencoding additional overhead on a signal at the transmit stage anddecoding at the receive stage to utilize the additional overhead tocorrect errors in the received signal. In optical systems, FEC has beenutilized to increase optical margin, to increase transmission distances,lower cost, and relax component specifications in design. The opticaltransceivers of the present disclosure are configured to implement FECinternally in an optical transceiver by encoding FEC overhead on asignal and decoding at the receive stage. In an exemplary embodiment,the optical transceiver is configured to implement RS (255, 239) asspecified by the G.709 standards. The present disclosure is alsoapplicable to utilize any other FEC algorithm capable of implementationwithin the confines of power, space, and line-rate associated with theoptical transceiver MSA specifications. Graph 1300 illustrates bit-errorrate (BER) vs. signal quality Q and shows an input BER (BER in) versusthe output BER (BER out) after the FEC is processed and errors correctedin the optical transceiver. As shown in FIG. 13, an FEC code such as RS(255, 239) provides 6 dB or more coding gain for a BER of 10e-12. Thiscoding gain can be utilized in optical transceivers to extend the reachbeyond 80 km, to loosen component specifications in the transceiver, andto provide robust carrier-grade performance.

Referring to FIG. 14, an exemplary application includes a metro/corering 1400 including optical terminals 1410 and an optical add-dropmultiplexer (OADM) 1420. The optical terminals 1410 include networkelements with line cards or blades configured with optical transceivers160. The optical transceivers 160 support framing, optical layer OAM&P,and FEC directly without the need for additional equipment such astransponders. Examples of optical terminals 1410 include routers,Ethernet switches, servers, MSPPs, SONET add-drop multiplexers, DWDMterminals, and cross-connects. The metro/core ring 1400 includesmultiple optical terminals 1410 in a ring topology with each opticallink including an east and west transceiver 160. Additionally, a singleOADM 1420 is including in the metro/core ring 1400 where no transceivers160 are equipped.

The optical transceivers 160 support robust, carrier-grade featuresdirectly, allowing the application space for optical transceivers tomove beyond short, interconnect applications. In metro/core ring 1400,the optical transceivers 160 reduce the number of amplifiers required,enable more flexible routing options for wavelengths, and provideoverall more design flexibility. Existing optical transceivers aregenerally limited to less than 80 km (20 dB or less) and offer no G.709layer OAM&P. The present disclosure extends the benefits of opticaltransceivers into the metro, regional, and core applications.

Referring to FIG. 15, a regional/core DWDM system 1500 includes aterminal 1510 equipped with multiple optical transceivers 160 connectedto an optical terminal 1520, multiple inline line amps (ILA) 1530, andanother optical terminal 1520 and terminal 1510. The terminals 1510 caninclude DWDM terminals, MSPPs, SONET ADMs, routers, switches, andcross-connects. Traditionally, terminals 1510 included opticaltransceivers for short, interconnect applications to another device suchas a transponder. The optical transceiver 160 eliminates the need fortransponders by supporting framing, optical layer OAM&P, and FECinternally to the transceiver 160. The present disclosure supports agreater than 2.5 times distance increase over traditional opticaltransceivers. For example, distances up to 1500 km with ILAs 1530 can beachieved with the present disclosure. Further, the optical transceiver160 supports any optical wavelength type including DWDM wavelengths,eliminating the requirement for transponders to convert to a DWDMwavelength.

The present disclosure, by incorporating framing such as G.709 and FECin optical transceivers specified by MSAs, significantly enhancesperformance and OAM&P functions. This allows optical transceivers to beused in IP/Ethernet/ATM/Frame Relay/Fiber Channel over WDM, highdensity/high-performance applications, G.709 interconnectionapplications, and applications requiring comprehensive optical OAM&P.Traditionally, optical transceivers have accorded benefits to equipmentvendors and network operators such as engineering re-use, streamlinedmanufacturing and sparing, low cost and multiple manufacturing sources.The present disclosure builds upon the existing benefits of opticaltransceivers by increasing the application space of optical transceiversfrom short, interconnect applications to metro, regional, and corenetwork applications requiring carrier-grade, robust monitoring, andperformance.

Referring to FIG. 16, an XFP optical transceiver 1800 is illustrated forproviding Ethernet extension and demarcation according to an exemplaryembodiment. The XFP optical transceiver 1800 is configured to plug intoany device configured to accept MSA-complaint transceivers, such as CPErouters/switches, etc. The optical transceiver 1800 is utilized toprovide Ethernet demarcation at a customer device. Here, the customerdevice is configured to utilize XFP devices based on the MSAspecification. The optical transceiver 1800 also includes additionalcircuitry to provide G.709 framing, FEC, and remote OAM&P capabilities.The customer device requires no hardware or software modification.Rather, the G.709 framing, FEC, and remote OAM&P capabilities arecompletely integrated within the optical transceiver 1800 providing ademarcation point from the customer device to a far end port on aservice provider's network. Additionally, the far endpoint has fullOAM&P visibility of the optical transceiver based on the remote OAM&Pcapabilities, such as through a closed loop communication channel. Also,other MSA-type optical transceivers (i.e. CFP and variants thereof(e.g., CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, CXP), CDFP and variants thereof, MSA-100GLH,CCRx, QSFP and variants thereof (e.g., QSFP+, QSFP14, QSFP28, QSFP-DD,microQSFP), 10X10, XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin) canalso be utilized for the same Ethernet extension and demarcationfunctionality.

The XFP optical transceiver 1800 includes an XFI interface 1802configured to interconnect to a host device in a host system. The XFIinterface 1802 is configured to transmit/receive a 10.3 Gb/s signalto/from the host system. The XFI interface 1802 connects to both a G.709encoder 1804 and a G.709 decoder 1806. The G.709 encoder 1804 includesFEC, Remote OAM capability, G.709 framing, SERDES, and CDR functionalityas described herein. The G.709 encoder 1804 is configured to receive asignal from the XFI interface 1802, such as an Ethernet client or thelike, and provide framing, OAM&P processing, and FEC encoding. The G.709decoder 1806 includes FEC, remote OAM capability, G.709 de-framing,SERDES, and CDR functionality as described herein. The G.709 decoder1806 is configured to de-frame a G.709 signal, process OAM&P, and decodeFEC and to provide a signal, such as an Ethernet client or the like, tothe XFI interface 1802.

The XFP optical transceiver 1800 includes a Physical Medium Dependent(PMD) transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) 1808,1810. The PMD Tx 1808 isconfigured to receive a framed signal from the G.709 encoder 1804 andtransmit an optical signal on an interface 1812. For example, theinterface 1812 can include an XFI interface, a parallel interface, orthe like. The PMD Rx 1810 is configured to receive an optical signal onthe interface 1812 and to provide the received optical signal to theG.709 decoder 1806. The PMD Tx/Rx 1808,1810 can include 850 nm, 1310 nm,1550 nm, DWDM, CWDM, and the like depending on the applicationrequirements. The XFP optical transceiver 1800 is configured tointerface to any host device configured to operate with opticaltransceivers compliant with the XFP MSA. For example, the host devicecan include a router, switch, optical network element, and the like. Thehost device can include customer premises equipment (CPE) and serviceprovider equipment. The XFP optical transceiver 1800 includes an I2Cinterface 1814 for communications with the host device. The XFP opticaltransceiver 1800 is configured to utilize the communications detailed inthe XFP MSA specification.

When the XFP optical transceiver 1800 is configured in a CPE device orother remote device for demarcation, the XFP optical transceiver 1800 isconfigured to only provide standard XFP MSA-based communications overthe I2C interface 1814 to the host device. Accordingly, the host deviceis unaware of the additional framing, FEC, and OAM&P functionality. Thisenables any XFP-compliant host device to utilize the XFP opticaltransceiver 1800 for demarcation. Here, the OAM&P is provided to a hostdevice at a far end, such as described herein with a closed loopcommunication channel. When the XFP optical transceiver 1800 isconfigured in a service provider device or the like, the XFP opticaltransceiver 1800 is configured to provide standard XFP MSA-basedcommunications and G.709 OAM&P information over the I2C interface 1814,such as described in FIGS. 10a-10b . Here, the host device can beconfigured to utilize the I2C interface 1814 for G.709 OAM&P managementof the optical transceiver 1800 in the host device and for remotefar-end management of another optical transceiver 1800 over the closedloop communication channel. The I2C interface 1814 is configured foraccess to OTN alarms, PMs, and overhead.

Referring to FIG. 17, a XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 is illustratedfor providing Ethernet extension and demarcation according to anexemplary embodiment. The XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 is configuredto plug into any device configured to accept XENPAK-complainttransceivers, such as CPE routers/switches, etc. The XENPAK opticaltransceiver 1900 is utilized to provide Ethernet demarcation at acustomer device. Here, the customer device is configured to utilizeXENPAK devices based on the MSA specification. The XENPAK opticaltransceiver 1900 also includes additional circuitry to provide G.709framing, FEC, and remote OAM&P capabilities. The customer devicerequires no hardware or software modification. Rather, the G.709framing, FEC, and remote OAM&P capabilities are completely integratedwithin the XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 providing a demarcation pointfrom the customer device to a far end port on a service provider'snetwork. Additionally, the far endpoint has full OAM&P visibility of theoptical transceiver based on the remote OAM&P capabilities, such asthrough a closed loop communication channel.

The XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 includes a XAUI interface 1902configured to interconnect to a host device in a host system. The XAUIinterface 1902 is configured to transmit/receive a 4×3.125 Gb/s signalto/from the host system. The XAUI interface 1902 connects to both an8B/10B decoder 1904 and an 8B/10B encoder 1906 which is configured toperform 8B/10B decoding and encoding, respectively, on a signal from/tothe XAUI interface 1902. The 8B/10B decoder 1904 connects to a PCS 64/66encoder 1908 configured to perform 64/66 encoding on the output signalfrom the 8B/10B decoder 1904. The 8B/10B encoder 1906 receives an inputsignal from a PCS 64/66 decoder 1910 which is configured to perform64/66 decoding.

The XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 includes a G.709 encoder with FEC1912 and a G.709 decoder with FEC 1914. The G.709 encoder 1912 includesFEC, Remote OAM capability, G.709 framing, SERDES, and CDR functionalityas described herein. The G.709 encoder 1912 is configured to receive asignal from the PCS 64/66 encoder 1908, such as an Ethernet client orthe like, and provide framing, OAM&P processing, and FEC encoding. TheG.709 decoder 1914 includes FEC, remote OAM capability, G.709de-framing, SERDES, and CDR functionality as described herein. The G.709decoder 1914 is configured to de-frame a G.709 signal, process OAM&P,and decode FEC and to provide a signal, such as an Ethernet client orthe like, to the PCS 64/66 decoder 1910. Optionally, the XENPAK opticaltransceiver 1900 can include an EDC 1916 configured to performelectronic dispersion compensation.

The XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 includes a Physical Medium Dependent(PMD) transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) 1918,1920. The PMD Tx 1918 isconfigured to receive a framed signal from the G.709 encoder 1912 (orthe EDC 1916) and transmit an optical signal on an interface 1922. Forexample, the interface 1922 can include an XFI interface, a parallelinterface, or the like. The PMD Rx 1920 is configured to receive anoptical signal on the interface 1922 and to provide the received opticalsignal to the G.709 decoder 1914 (or the EDC 1916). The PMD Tx/Rx1918,1920 can include 850 nm, 1310 nm, 1550 nm, DWDM, CWDM, and the likedepending on the application requirements. Additionally, the XENPAKoptical transceiver 1900 can include a WIS encoder/decoder between thePCS 1908,1910 and G.709 1912,1914 blocks.

The XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 is configured to interface to anyhost device configured to operate with optical transceivers compliantwith the XENPAK MSA. For example, the host device can include a router,switch, optical network element, and the like. The host device caninclude customer premises equipment (CPE) and service providerequipment. The XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 includes a MDIO interface1924 for communications with the host device. The XENPAK opticaltransceiver 1900 is configured to utilize the communications detailed inthe XENPAK MSA specification.

When the XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 is configured in a CPE deviceor other remote device for demarcation, the XENPAK optical transceiver1900 is configured to only provide standard XENPAK MSA-basedcommunications over the MDIO interface 1924 to the host device.Accordingly, the host device is unaware of the additional framing, FEC,and OAM&P functionality. This enables any XENPAK-compliant host deviceto utilize the XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 for demarcation. Here,the OAM&P is provided to a host device at a far end, such as describedherein with a closed loop communication channel.

When the XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 is configured in a serviceprovider device or the like, the XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 isconfigured to provide standard XENPAK MSA-based communications and G.709OAM&P information over the MDIO interface 1924, such as described inFIGS. 10a-10b . Here, the host device can be configured to utilize theMDIO interface 1924 for G.709 OAM&P management of the XENPAK opticaltransceiver 1900 in the host device and for remote far-end management ofanother XENPAK optical transceiver 1900 over the closed loopcommunication channel. The MDIO interface 1924 is configured for accessto OTN alarms, PMs, and overhead. The present disclosure alsocontemplates similar operation with other MSA-compliant opticaltransceivers, such as X2, SFP+, and the like. With respect to Ethernetdemarcation, the XFP optical transceiver 1800 and XENPAK opticaltransceiver 1900 provides network operators and customers significantadvantages. For example, demarcation through an optical devicesignificantly reduces capital costs, footprint, power, andinstallation/turn-up requirements.

Referring to FIG. 18, a network 2000 illustrates an exemplaryapplication of far end demarcation and control according to an exemplaryembodiment. The network 2000 includes a carrier router/switch 2002connected to a CPE customer router/switch 2004 through a network 2006.For example, the network 2006 can include a DWDM access/metro network orthe like. Both of the routers/switches 2002,2004 are configured withoptical transceivers configured with framing, OAM&P, and FEC asdescribed herein. The optical transceivers enable a carrier to demarcatetheir connection to a customer physically at the router/switch 2004through the optical transceiver itself. Also, the router/switch 2004 isonly required to operate a MSA-compliant optical transceiver without anyadditional hardware or software functionality.

The router/switch 2002 can establish end-to-end communication throughG.709 overhead between the optical transceivers in both of therouters/switches 2002,2004. For example, a communication channel 2008can be established between the optical transceiver in the router/switch2002 and the optical transceiver in the router/switch 2004. This can bethrough the GCC, EXP, or other bytes in the G.709 overhead with noimpact on standard G.709 overhead usage. For example, it is possible toobtain some remote PMs from the SM/PM. Also, BDI is from the SM/PMbytes. The communication channel 2008 is utilized to provide alarming,PM, provisioning, and the like from the remote end at the router/switch2004 to the carrier at the router/switch 2002.

Referring to FIG. 19, a table 2100 illustrates exemplary remotedemarcation OAM&P functions available through optical transceiversaccording to an exemplary embodiment. From an optical transceiver at afar end, a remote end optical transceiver can be provisioned,troubleshot, and monitored. With respect to provisioning, the remoteoptical transceiver can be commissioned and accepted. Remoteprovisioning functions can include traffic provisioning, maintenanceactivities, and traces. With respect to alarming, the remote opticaltransceiver can be monitored and troubleshot to determine where faultsoccur, i.e., traditional demarcation functions. Alarming can includeG.709 standard backward alarming and remotely fetched alarms. Withrespect to performance monitoring, the remote optical transceiver can bemonitored for end-to-end service level agreements (SLAs) as are typicalof demarcation devices. This can include monitoring far end PMs and FECerrors.

Referring to FIG. 20, a conventional SFP module 2200 is illustrated. TheSFP module 2200 is a compact optical transceiver used in opticalcommunications for both telecommunication and data communicationsapplications. It interfaces a network device line card 2202 (for aswitch, router or similar device) to a fiber optic or unshielded twistedpair networking cable. The SFP module 2200 is a popular industry formatsupported by several fiber optic component vendors. SFP transceivers2200 are designed to support SONET, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, andother communications standards.

SFP transceivers are available with a variety of different transmitter(Tx) 2204 and receiver (Rx) 2206 types, allowing users to select theappropriate transceiver for each link to provide the required opticalreach over the available optical fiber type (e.g., multi-mode fiber orsingle-mode fiber). Optical SFP modules 2200 are commonly available infour different categories: 850 nm (SX), 1310 nm (LX), 1550 nm (ZX), andDWDM. SFP transceivers 2200 are also available with a “copper” cableinterface, allowing a host device designed primarily for optical fibercommunications to also communicate over unshielded twisted pairnetworking cable. There are also CWDM and single-optic (1310/1490 nmupstream/downstream) SFPs. The different categories of SFP modules 2200are based on different PMD Tx Transmitter Optical Subassemblies (TOSA)2204 and PMD Rx Receiver Optical Subassemblies (ROSA) 2206.

The SFP transceiver 2200 is specified by a multi-source agreement (MSA)between competing manufacturers. The SFP transceiver 2200 iscommercially available with capability for data rates up to 4.25 Gbit/sor higher. The SFP transceiver 2200 supports digital optical monitoring(DOM) functions according to the industry-standard SFF-8472 Multi SourceAgreement (MSA). This feature gives an end user the ability to monitorreal-time parameters of the SFP, such as optical output power, opticalinput power, temperature, laser bias current, and transceiver supplyvoltage.

The SFP transceiver 2200 includes a TOSA driver 2208 which is configuredto interface to a Tx serial interface on the line card 2202. The TOSAdriver 2208 provides the serial input to the PMD Tx TOSA 2204. The PMDRx ROSA 2206 is configured to receive an optical signal and provide thereceived optical signal to a Rx pre-amp 2210 which interfaces to a Rxserial interface on the line card 2204. In conventional SFP transceivers2200, the line card 2200 (or another host device) includes a CDR andclocked output, and this functionality is not included on the SFPtransceiver 2200, i.e., the SFP transceiver 2200 does not include aninternal reference clock. Additionally, the SFP transceiver 2200includes an I2C management interface 2212 which interfaces to the linecard 2202 to provide the DOM and other MSA-based communications. Note,in the SFP MSA, the I2C management interface 221 has very limitedfunctions.

Referring to FIG. 21, an SFP transceiver 2300 is illustrated withintegrated framing, FEC, and OAM&P functionality according to anexemplary embodiment. The SFP transceiver 2300 is configured to provideG.709 framing, FEC, and OAM&P functionality within the SFP transceiver2300 while preserving all of the SFP MSA specifications. The SFPtransceiver 2300 is configured to interface to the line card 2202 or anyother device configured according to the SFP MSA. The SFP transceiver2300 can include the same PMD Tx TOSA 2204 and PMD Tx ROSA 2206 asutilized in conventional SFP modules. Additionally, the SFP transceiver2300 includes a G.709 encoder/decoder 2302, integrated timing 2304, andan advanced I2C management interface 2306. The G.709 encoder/decoder2302 is utilized in place of the TOSA driver 2208 and Rx pre-amp 2210and includes the same Tx driver and Rx pre-amp functionality. The G.709encoder/decoder 2302 also includes an integrated CDR and connects to theintegrated timing 2304 for synchronization.

The G.709 encoder/decoder 2302 is configured to frame/un-frame a signalfrom/to the line card 2202. The framing utilizes G.709 to provide OAM&Pand FEC integrated within the SFP transceiver 2300. The SFP transceiver2300 is configured to frame any input signal from the line card 2202within SFP specifications, i.e., 155 Mb/s to 4.25 Gb/s. This is doneutilizing non-standard OTN rates described herein. The I2C managementinterface 2306 can communicate standard MSA defined information to theline card 2202 as well as OAM&P information. For example, the line cardcan be configured to read unused, undefined, reserved, or optionalregisters on the SFP transceiver 2300 through the I2C managementinterface 2306 to interface with the overhead information.Alternatively, the line card 2202 does not have to interface with theoverhead information as is the case in the demarcation application wherethe SFP transceiver 2300 is installed in a CPE device and utilizes theclosed loop communication channel to report OAM&P information to the farend.

Referring to FIG. 22, a table 2350 illustrates exemplary specificationsfor the SFP transceiver 2300 according to an exemplary embodiment. TheSFP transceiver 2300 conforms to the SFP MSA form factor and can supportbit rates from 155 Mb/s to 4.25 Gb/s which corresponds to OC-3 to 4Gigabit Fibre Channel. The Tx can be any type including 1550 nm gray(uncooled), CWDM (uncooled), and DWDM. The Rx can include a PIN oravalanche photodiode (APD). The SFP transceiver 2300 has varying amountsof dispersion tolerance from 120 km to 360 km and associated linkbudgets from 20 dB to 32 dB. As described herein, the SFP transceiver2300 can be used in any device capable of utilizing a SFP-complianttransceiver including Ethernet switches, IP routers, MSPPs, SANdirectors, CPE demarcation, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 23, a table 2360 illustrates exemplary OTN bit ratesutilized for various signal rates associated with SFP transceiversaccording to an exemplary embodiment. The lowest standardized OTN bitrates are for 2.5 Gb/s signals. The present disclosure utilizes the sameOTN framing structure with different, proprietary OTU bitrates. Thepresent disclosure can utilize either 255/237 or 255/238 bit rates. The255/237 bit rate can utilize an OTU2 type frame with 64-byte stuffingper OTU2 frame, and the 255/238 bit rate can utilize an OTU1 type framewithout byte stuffing. For example, an OC-3/STM-1 has an input bit rateinto an SFP of 0.1555 Gb/s. The SFP transceiver 2300 is configured toframe the input OC-3/STM-1 into an OTN frame with a G.709 bit rate of0.16733 Gb/s (255/237) or 0.16663 Gb/s (255/238). The overhead and FECare utilized with the additional bit rate. The table 2360 alsoillustrates different bit rates for OC-12/STM-4, 1G FC, 1 GbE, 2G FC,OC-48/STM-16, and 4G FC for both 255/237 and 255/238 bit rates.

Referring to FIG. 24, a block diagram illustrates the functionality ofan optical transceiver 2400 according to an exemplary embodiment. Theoptical transceiver 2400 can include any MSA-compatible opticaltransceiver, such as CFP and variants thereof (e.g., CFP2, CFP4, CXP),CDFP and variants thereof (e.g., CDFP2, CDFP4, etc.), MSA-100GLH, CCRx,QSFP and variants thereof (e.g., future QSFP+, QSFP2), 10×10, XFP, XPAK,XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin, and the like. As describedherein, the present disclosure includes additional circuitry on theoptical transceiver 2400 to provide integrated framing functionality,optical layer OAM&P, FEC, data encapsulation, performance monitoring,and alarming in the optical transceiver 2400. This additional circuitryis configured to preserve the specifications of the MSA defining theoptical transceiver 2400. Accordingly, the optical transceiver 2400 isconfigured to operate in any host system 2402 configured to operateaccording to the MSA specifications.

The optical transceiver 2400 includes a host input/output (I/O) module2410, a G.709 encoder/decoder 2420, a Tx/Rx module 2430, a processor2440, registers 2450, and a MDIO/I2C interface 2460. Note, the variousmodules 2410-2460 can be integrated within various ASICs on the opticaltransceiver 2400. The host I/O module 2410 is configured to interfacewith the host system 2402 according to the MSA specifications. Forexample, the module 2410 can include a XAUI, serial interface, or thelike. As described herein, the G.709 encoder/decoder 2420 is configuredto frame/un-frame, encode/decode FEC, and process overhead integratedwithin the optical transceiver 2400 while preserving the MSAspecifications. The Tx/Rx module 2430 provides the physical opticalinput/output.

The optical transceiver 2400 includes a processor 2440 which iscommunicatively coupled to the G.709 encoder/decoder 2420, multipleregisters 2450, and a MDIO/I2C interface 2460. The processor 2440 is ahardware device for executing software instructions. The processor 2440can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a centralprocessing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processorsassociated with the server 200, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (inthe form of a microchip or chip set), or generally any device forexecuting software instructions.

In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 2440 is configured to processand provide performance monitoring (PM) data and alarming based on theoverhead and FEC from the G.709 encoder/decoder 2420. Additionally, theprocessor 2440 is configured to export PM and alarm data from theoptical transceiver 2440 through the MDIO/I2C interface 2460, such asdescribed herein in FIGS. 8 and 10 a-10 b. For example, the processor2440 can be configured to bridge data on the MDIO/I2C interface 2460through unused, undefined, reserved, or optional registers in the MSAspecification to provide a MSA-compliant mechanism to report the data tothe host system 2402. Additionally, the processor 2440 can export the PMand alarm data to a far-end, such as in FIG. 18, through overhead in theG.709 encoder/decoder 2420.

As described herein, the G.709 encoder/decoder 2420 is configured totransmit/receive a signal to/from the host I/O 2410. The signal isdecoded/encoded with FEC and de-framed/framed with overhead, such asdescribed in FIG. 11. The G.709 encoder/decoder 2420 is configured tostrip out incoming overhead, and process the overhead in conjunctionwith the processor 2440. Advantageously, the integration of framing,FEC, and OAM&P into the MSA optical transceiver 2400 enables performancemonitoring and alarming at a carrier-grade level without extraequipment. This functionality is integrated into the optical transceiver2400 while preserving the existing MSA specifications. Accordingly, theoptical transceiver 2400 can operate in any MSA-compliant host system2402. The host system 2402 can be configured to retrieve PMs and alarmsfrom the optical transceiver 2400 through software modifications only,i.e., to read the registers used for this data.

The optical transceiver 2400 can operate in a transparent mode and anenhanced mode. In the transparent mode, the module can be used withexisting host device 2402 driver software without any alteration. Inthis mode, the OTN framing and Forward Error Correction features arealways turned on, but all associated Overhead Management information isterminated within the optical transceiver 2400 and is transparent to thehost device 2402 driver software. The optical transceiver 2400 is builtwith the necessary intelligence to recognize the LOGE PHY mode (LAN PHYor WAN PHY) the host device 2402 wants to configure, by monitoringregister “2.7.0” PCS Type Selection, and sets all appropriate OTN frameregisters, VCXO frequencies, etc. . . . to accommodate the proper OTNbit rate for the mode selected. In the Transparent Mode, the opticaltransceiver 2400 offers 4× higher DWDM performance and enhanced reachthanks to the Forward Error Correction coding gain feature.

In the Enhanced mode, in addition to selecting a LAN or WAN PHY, thehost can also turn-on and off the OTN and FEC features. In this mode,the host has full accessibility to all the OTN G.709 OAM features sothat an ITU OTN compliant 10 Gbps optical interface can be supported andexposed to a higher layer software entity. Management data from and tothe host is supported via the standard MDIO/I2C interface 2460 (so nohardware change is necessary). Network operators can access variouscomponents of the overhead on the optical transceiver 2400 through thehost system 2402 and the MDIO/I2C interface 2460. The host system 2402can be configured to retrieve various PMs and alarm information from theregisters 2450 through the MDIO/I2C interface 2460. This information canbe imported through the host system 2402 to an EMS system for access bynetwork operators. The present disclosure contemplates access to allalarms in ITU-T G.709, all six Tandem Connection Monitoring (TCM) bytesin G.709, far end monitoring as specified in G.709, loopbacks,historical and real-time PM values for FEC, section, and path, and thelike.

Referring to FIG. 25, a network 2500 is illustrated with two hostsystems 2402 a, 2402 b including multiple optical transceivers 2400according to an exemplary embodiment. Each host system 2402 a, 2402 bincludes multiple optical transceivers 2400 connected to one anotherover an optical network 2502. For example, the optical network 2502 caninclude optical fibers, DWDM filters, amplifiers, regenerators, and thelike. In this exemplary embodiment, the host system 2402 a is configuredthrough software to access the overhead, PMs, and alarms associated witheach optical transceiver 2400. Local optical transceivers 2400 to thehost system 2402 a are accessed through a MDIO or I2C interface. The farend optical transceivers 2400 in the host system 2402 b are accessedthrough far end monitoring mechanisms available in G.709. The hostsystem 2402 a is communicatively coupled to an element managementsystem/network management system (EMS/NMS) 2504 through a datacommunications network (DCN) 2506.

The EMS/NMS 2504 is generally configured to control all OAM&P aspects ofthe host system 2402 a, 2402 b. The EMS/NMS 2504 operates on a serverand may include a connection to a data store 2508 to store PM, alarm,and other related information associated with the host systems 2402 a,2402 b. The EMS/NMS 2504 is configured to allow a network operator toaccess the overhead, PMs, and alarms on the optical transceivers 2400.For example, the EMS/NMS 2504 can include software modules to controlall aspects of OAM&P associated with each optical transceiver 2400, andstore PMs, alarms, etc. in the data store 2508. Effectively, the presentdisclosure provides a virtual transponder within each opticaltransceiver 2400 without requiring extra equipment, such as externaltransponders, or extra circuitry on the host system 2402 to provideframing, FEC, and OAM&P.

Additionally, the G.709 framing, FEC, and OAM&P can beuser-provisionable allowing the optical transceiver 2400 to operate withor without these functions. For example, the optical transceiver 2400can be set to provide framing and FEC, but not to provide OAM&P. Thismay be utilized in an application where neither host system 2402 isconfigured to communicate to the optical transceiver 2400 to retrievethe alarms and PMs. However, the optical transceivers 2400 can stilloperate providing additional link budget and performance through theframing and FEC. Alternatively, FEC can be disabled with just framingand OAM&P enabled.

The optical transceiver 2400 can provide various digital PM dataincluding FEC-related, path-related, and section-related values.Additionally, the optical transceiver 2400 can provide far end values.In an exemplary embodiment, the optical transceiver 2400 can provide thefollowing digital PM data based on the overhead and FEC processing ofthe G.709 encoder/decoder 2420 and the processor 2440. These PMs can beprocessed and store through the registers 2450.

Size Name Description Count Definition 3 bytes F-CE FEC- Corrected ErrorIncrement for each FEC corrected Symbols symbol (Symbol = 1 Byte) 3bytes F-CE-FE FEC- Corrected Error Increment for each FEC correctedSymbols- Far End symbol (Symbol = 1 Byte) 2 bytes F-CER FEC- CorrectedError Ratio Listed as BER (e.g., 6x10⁻⁷) 2 bytes F-CER-FE FEC- CorrectedError Ratio- Listed as BER (e.g., 6x10⁻⁷) Far End 2 bytes P-BIP Path-BIP Error Count Increment per BIP error or errored (Selectable as Blockor frame received individual count) 2 bytes P-BBE Path- Background BlockIncrement 1 per second in which BIP Error error is seen 2 bytes P-ESPath- Errored Seconds Increment 1 per second in which any of the framesare errored 2 bytes P-SES Path- Severely Errored Increment 1 per secondin which Seconds 15% of the frames are errored 2 bytes P-UAS Path-Unavailable Seconds Increment 1 per second in which the frame is definedas unavailable (loss of sync or 10 consecutive seconds of SES) 2 bytesP-BIP-FE¹ Path- BIP Error Count- Far Increment per BIP error or erroredEnd frame received (Selectable as Block or individual count) 2 bytesP-BBE-FE¹ Path- Background Block Increment 1 per second in which BIPError- Far End error is seen 2 bytes P-SES-FE¹ Path- Severely ErroredIncrement 1 per second in which Seconds- Far End 15% of the frames areerrored 2 bytes P-UAS-FE¹ Path- Unavailable Second- Increment 1 persecond in which the Far End frame is defined as unavailable (loss ofsync or 10 consecutive seconds of SES) 2 bytes S-BIP Section- BIP ErrorCount Increment per BIP error or errored (Selectable as Block or framereceived individual count) 2 bytes S-BBE Section- Background BlockIncrement 1 per second in which BIP Error error is seen 2 bytes S-ESSection- Errored Seconds Increment 1 per second in which any of theframes are errored 2 bytes S-SES Section- Severely Errored Increment 1per second in which Seconds 15% of the frames are errored 2 bytes S-UASSection- Unavailable Increment 1 per second in which the Seconds frameis defined as unavailable (loss of sync or 10 consecutive seconds ofSES) 2 bytes S-BIP-FE¹ Section- BIP Error Count- Increment per BIP erroror errored Far End frame received (Selectable as Block or individualcount) 2 bytes S-BBE-FE¹ Section- Background Block Increment 1 persecond in which BIP Error- Far End error is seen 2 bytes S-SES-FE¹Section- Severely Errored Increment 1 per second in which Seconds- FarEnd 15% of the frames are errored 2 bytes S-UAS-FE¹ Section- UnavailableIncrement 1 per second in which the Second- Far End frame is defined asunavailable (loss of sync or 10 consecutive seconds of SES) ¹All far endPMs are inferred through the Backward Error Indicator (BEI) counter inthe SM and PM overhead bytes. UAS is identified through the BEI andRemote Defect Indicator (RDI) conditions.

The optical transceiver 2400 can support all available alarms in G.709.In an exemplary embodiment, the optical transceiver 2400 is configuredto support the following alarms. These can be available from theMDIO/I2C interface 2460. For example in XENPAK, the alarms can be usedto trigger the link alarm status interrupt (LASI) with maskingcapability.

Alarms Description LOS Loss of Signal LOF Loss of Frame LOM Loss ofMultiframe S-AIS Section-Alarm Indication Signal S-BDI Section-BackwardDefect Indicator P-AIS Path-Alarm Indication Signal Tk-AIS TCM(k)- AlarmIndication Signal P-OCI Path-Open Connection indicator Tk-OCITCM(k)-Open Connection indicator P-LCK Path-Locked Tk-LCK TCM(k)-LockedP-BDI Path-Backward Error indicator. Tk-BDI TCM(k)-Backward Errorindicator. P-PTM Path-Payload Type Mismatch Tk-PTM TCM(k)-Payload TypeMismatch S-TTIM Section-Trail Trace Identifier Mismatch P-TTIMPath-Trail Trace Identifier Mismatch Tk-TTIM TCM(k)-Trail TraceIdentifier Mismatch

The optical transceiver 2400 can provide proactive warnings to networkoperators based on the integrated FEC within the module. Advantageously,this provides carrier-grade performance within the confines of existingMSA specifications. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical transceiver2400 is configured to provide degraded or excessive bit errorperformance alarms, such as:

Alarms Description S-EXC Section- Excessive Errors Present S-DEGSection- Degraded Performance P-DEG Path- Degraded Performance

The optical transceiver 2400 can support the reporting of alarms whenperformance monitoring threshold counters are passed. Additionally,these thresholds can be user-definable on the optical transceiver 2400.These Threshold Crossing Alarms (TCAs) are listed in the table below.

Alarms Description S-TH-BBE Section- Threshold- Background Block ErrorThreshold S-TH-ES Section- Threshold- Errored Seconds S-TH-SES Section-Threshold- Severely Errored Seconds S-TH-UAS Section- Threshold-Unavailable Seconds S-TH-BBE-FE Section- Threshold- Background BlockError Threshold- Far End S-TH-SES-FE Section- Threshold- SeverelyErrored Seconds- Far End S-TH-UAS-FE Section- Threshold- UnavailableSeconds- Far End P-TH-BBE Path- Threshold- Background Block ErrorThreshold P-TH-ES Path- Threshold- Errored Seconds P-TH-SES Path-Threshold- Severely Errored Seconds P-TH-UAS Path- Threshold-Unavailable Seconds P-TH-BBE-FE Path- Threshold- Background Block ErrorThreshold- Far End P-TH-SES-FE Path- Threshold- Severely ErroredSeconds- Far End P-TH-UAS-FE Path- Threshold- Unavailable Seconds- FarEnd Tk-TH-BBE TCM(k)- Threshold- Background Block Error ThresholdTk-TH-ES TCM(k)- Threshold- Errored Seconds Tk-TH-SES TCM(k)- Threshold-Severely Errored Seconds Tk-TH-UAS TCM(k)- Threshold- UnavailableSeconds Tk-TH-BBE-FE TCM(k)- Threshold- Background Block ErrorThreshold- Far End Tk-TH-SES-FE TCM(k)- Threshold- Severely ErroredSeconds- Far End Tk-TH-UAS-FE TCM(k)- Threshold- Unavailable Seconds-Far End

Referring to FIG. 26, a real-time and historical PM mechanism 2600 isillustrated to provide current and historical PM values in the opticaltransceiver 2400 according to an exemplary embodiment. The presentdisclosure provides carrier-grade transmission performance and OAM tootherwise Datacom-managed networks. An important part of carrier-gradenetworks is the ability to retrieve PM parameters in real-time and inhistorical views. Accordingly, the present disclosure supports carriergrade PM current and historical views with the use of 15-minute binnedcounters 2602. For example, the 15-minute binned counters 2602 can beincluded in the registers 2450 in FIG. 24. 15-minute binning of PM datais commonly used in carrier-grade equipment and Element ManagementSystems (EMS) to allow a clear record of historical performance toverify Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or to troubleshoot signaldegradation or failure after the event has occurred and passed. Thepresent disclosure integrates this functionality within a MSA-compliantoptical transceiver in a manner that preserves the MSA specificationswhile adding this additional functionality.

The real-time and historical PM mechanism 2600 includes multipleregisters 2602 for each PM value that is stored in real-time andhistorically. In an exemplary embodiment, the real-time and historicalPM mechanism 2600 includes 32 registers 2602 for each PM value, and thereal-time and historical PM mechanism 2600 is performed for thefollowing PM values:

Section Path S-BBE(-FE) P-BBE(-FE) S-ES(-FE) P-ES(-FE) S-SES(-FE)P-SES(-FE) S-UAS(-FE) P-UAS(-FE)

The real-time and historical PM mechanism 2600 utilizes an onboard timeron the optical transceiver 2400. The onboard timer can be synchronizedto a clock on the host system 2402. The onboard timer, which is set toexpire in 15-minutes by default, autonomously transfers all current15-minute binned PM values from a current 15-minute register 2604 to ahistorical 15-minute binned register 2606. Additionally, the PM value inthe historical 15-minute binned register 2606 is transferred to ahistorical 15-minute binned register 2608 representing the next 15minutes. This process is repeated for all of the historical 15-minutebinned registers with the values in the last historical 15-minute binnedregister deleted. Each current and historical binned register 2602 isretrievable by the MDIO/I2C interface 2460 and the processor 2440.Additionally, the 15-minute current register 2604 may be cleared andreset under MDIO control.

Optionally, a user can select to disable the 15-minute binned PMregisters 2602 and allow the registers 2602 to count to their maximummemory space until the register is read and cleared by the MDIO/I2Cinterface 2460. Additionally, the 15-minute binned PM registers 2602 canbe read and/or cleared from a far end through the processor 2440.Validity flags are kept for each binned register 2602. If the signal islost or the host resets the 15-minute PM bins, the validity flag willchange to false. A host management system in the host system 2402 canretrieve the 15-minute binned values and store them in a larger arrayfor long-term performance management history.

Referring to FIG. 27, the optical transceiver 2400 supports all six ofthe Tandem Connection Monitoring (TCM) overhead 2600 in the G.709overhead 1100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Each TCM overhead2600 includes the TTI 1250, Bit Interleaved Parity-8 (BIP-8) 2602, aBackward Error Indicator (BEI) 2604, a Backward Defect Indicator (BDI)2606, and a Status 2608. BIP-8 2602 provides an indication of linkhealth for the TCM 2600 through an error count. BEI 2604 provides thenumber of bit errors detected at the other end of the TCM overhead 2600connection. BDI 2606 provides an indication that the other end of theTCM overhead 2600 connection has detected an error, and Status 2608provides status bits indicating the availability of this TCM overheadconnection 2600 as well as alarm indications. The availability of TCMoverhead in the optical transceiver 2400 allows network operators tomonitor end-to-end service through G.709 mechanisms even where multiplenetworks are involved. For example, this enables an operator to utilizethe optical transceiver 2400 in a CPE device and allows end usersvisibility of a limited path. Also, it allows the operator fullend-to-end network visibility. Within the Path overhead, G.709 specifiesthe option of user-defined layer definitions identified as TandemConnection Monitoring (TCM) layers. The intent of TCMs allows the userto define the beginning and end location of their custom Och layer. OTNXENPAK allows the definition of two such separate TCMs for use of customlayer monitoring. These TCMs are defined as TCM1 and TCM2 in the OTNXenpak specification. Each TCM contains independent alarming,performance monitoring and maintenance signaling.

Referring to FIGS. 28-31, the present disclosure can be utilized toprovide alarming with the link alarm status interrupt (LASI) in theXENPAK MSA according to an exemplary embodiment. The addition of G.709and FEC into a XENPAK-compliant MSA transceiver requires an additionalfield in the LASI interrupt capabilities and status register. The XENPAKLASI is the general interrupt defined by the XENPAK MSA group to alertthe host of actions required during a failure scenario in the XENPAKmodule. If the optical transceiver 2400 alarming is enabled, the XENPAKLASI is exerted and reflected in the 31.0010h.7 bit. When the LASI istriggered, the host must read XENPAK MSA MDIO register 1.9005 and31.0010h.7 to verify where the error occurred. FIG. 28 illustrates anexemplary logic diagram 2800 for triggering the LASI module interrupt.Here, the LASI module interrupt is triggered responsive to a logical ORof three interrupts, LASI Intl 1, 2, and 3. FIGS. 29-32 illustrateexemplary logic diagrams 2900, 3000, 3100 for the three interrupts, LASIIntl 1, 2, and 3. Each of the three interrupts, LASI Intl 1, 2, and 3 isformed through a bitwise OR of a mask with a status AND.

The following parameters are supported in the 1.9005 register: The30.0010h bit 7 shows if the LASI was triggered for optical layer faults.In general, most optical layer faults will also trigger downstreamfaults in the other devices. When the alarm is seen as active from theoptical layer function, the MDIO registers in MMD 30 Status 4, 5 and 6can be monitored for alarmed conditions. The LASI interrupt above istriggered by an optical layer block fault detection. Each fault may beused to trigger the LASI interrupt. Each register fault bit may bemasked by the user to avoid LASI interrupt assertion if such an alarm isnot supported by the host. The optical layer LASI interrupt is dividedinto several layers, each of which is graphically in FIGS. 28-31. Thehighest layer, shown in FIG. 28 feeds directly into the LASI interruptand is shown in register 30.0010h bit 7.

Referring to FIG. 32, the optical transceiver 2400 supports both systemand network loopbacks 3200, 3202. System loopbacks 3200 are designed toloopback the system towards the host after processing by various partsof the optical transceiver 2400. The network loopback 3202 loops thetraffic towards the OTN network after processing. Many loopbacks supporta data override mode, in which the traffic in loopback mode is alsopassed through the non-loopback path as normal. All loopbacks 3200, 3202are supported via the MDIO/I2C interface 2460 interface. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 32, the optical transceiver 2400 isillustrated as a XENPAK-compliant module. The loopbacks 3200, 3202 arealso contemplated in other MSA-compliant modules as described herein.The XENPAK-compliant module includes an 8B/10B PHY XS section 3210, aPCS 64/66 section 3212, a WIS WAN PHY section 3214, a Physical MediaAttachment (PMA) section 3216, and a G.709+FEC section 3218. The systemloopbacks 3200 can include a PHY XS system loopback 3220, a PCS systemloopback 3222, a WIS system loopback 3224, a PMA system loopback 3326,and a G.709+FEC system loopback 3228. The network loopbacks 3202 caninclude a PHY XS network loopback 3230 and a PMA network loopback 3232.

Referring to FIG. 33, a perspective view of the optical transceiver 2400is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. The opticaltransceiver 2400 includes integrated circuitry 3302 mounted therein to aprinted circuit board 3304 that incorporates embodiments of thedisclosure. As discussed previously, the integrated circuitry 3302 maybe one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) tosupport both the electronics of the Tx/Rx 2430. The integrated circuitry3302 can be configured to provide the functionality described hereinwith regard to the present disclosure. The optical transceiver 2400further includes a light transmitter 3306 (i.e., an EO converter) and alight receiver 3308 (i.e., an OE converter). The optical transceiver2400 can be compatible with CFP and variants thereof (e.g., CFP2, CFP4,CFP8, CXP), CDFP and variants thereof, MSA-100GLH, CCRx, QSFP andvariants thereof (e.g., QSFP+, QSFP14, QSFP28, QSFP-DD, microQSFP),10×10, XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin, and otherproprietary or standard packages.

The printed circuit board 3304 includes top and bottom pads (top padsillustrated) to form an edge connection 3310 to couple to a socket of ahost device 2402. A housing 3312 couples around the printed circuitboard 3304 to protect and shield the integrated circuitry 3302 and othercomponents in the transceiver 2400. Note, the housing 3312 is typicallydefined in the MSA. A front fiber optic plug receptacle 3320 is providedwith openings 3322 to interface with one or more fiber optic cables andtheir plugs. A mechanical latch/release mechanism 3324 can be providedas part of the optical transceiver 2400. While the optical transceiver2400 has been described as having both light transmission and lightreception capability, it may be a fiber optic transmitter module withlight transmission only or a fiber optic receiver module with lightreception only.

Referring to FIG. 34, in an exemplary embodiment, a perspective diagramillustrates a CFP module 3400 in a front view 3402 and a rear view 3404.The present disclosure can incorporate the integrated functionalitydescribed herein in 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s optical transceivers such asCFP and variants thereof (e.g., CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, CXP), CDFP andvariants thereof, MSA-100GLH, CCRx, QSFP and variants thereof (e.g.,QSFP+, QSFP14, QSFP28, QSFP-DD, microQSFP), 10×10, and the like. The CFPmodule 3400 is compliant with the CFP MSA Rev. 1.4 (June 2010)(available at www.cfp-msa.org and incorporated by reference herein). TheCFP MSA defines a hot-pluggable optical transceiver form factor toenable 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s applications, including next-generationHigh-Speed Ethernet (40 GbE and 100 GbE). The electrical interface mayinclude a nominal signaling lane rate is 10 Gbit/s per lane with variouselectrical interface specifications such as CAUI, XLAUI, OTL4.10,OTL3.4, and STL256.4. Other variants of CFP may include CFP2 which usesa signaling lane rate of 25 Gbit/s per lane or CFP4 which uses asignaling lane of 100G. For example, the CFP MSA has an electricalinterface of 4×10G (XLAUI) or 10×10G (CAUI), the CFP2 MSA has anelectrical interface of 4×25G (CAUI2 or CPPI2). Another variant of CFPmay include CDFP or CFP8 which uses a signaling lane rate of 25 Gbit/sper lane and has an electrical interface of 16×25G providing 400G. TheCXP MSA was created to satisfy the high-density requirements of the datacenter, targeting parallel interconnections for 12×QDR InfiniBand (120Gbps), 100 GbE, and proprietary links between systems collocated in thesame facility. The InfiniBand Trade Association (www.infinibandta.org)is currently standardizing the CXP. The CXP is 45 mm in length and 27 mmin width, making it slightly larger than an XFP. It includes 12 transmitand 12 receive channels in its compact package.

The OIF MSA-100GLH Multisource Agreement (IA) provides a 100G Long-HaulDWDM Transmission Module—Electromechanical (MSA-100GLH) for optical lineinterface applications. The OIF MSA-100GLH (available atwww.oiforum.com/public/documents/OIF-MSA-100GLH-EM-01.0.pdf)specifically addresses 100G Polarization Multiplexed Quadrature PhaseShift Keying (PM-QPSK) long-haul DWDM, but the MSA strives to remainmodulation format and data rate agnostic whenever practical to maximizeapplicability to future market requirements. The interface IC(s) andmodule electrical interface are generically specified to allowvendor-specific customization of multilane “M-lane” ˜11 Gbit/sinterfaces. Module electrical interfaces include but are not limited tothe following: a) Simple bit multiplex; b) OTL4.10 [I2]; c) SFI-S [I3];and d) OTL3.4 [I2] (for 40G applications). The QSFP MSA and variants(QSFP+, QSFP2, etc.) defines electrical interfaces, managementinterfaces, optical interfaces, mechanical specifications and the likefor a multimode laser providing 40G and 100G clients. Specifically, QSFPprovides four electrical interfaces at 10G (XLPPI) and four opticalinterfaces at 10G. QSFP2 provides 100G via four 25G interfaces. The MSAfor QSFP may be accessed at ftp.seagate.com/sff/INF-8438.PDF.

The 10×10 MSA provides a low-cost 100 GbE solution over single-modefiber using 10×10G, i.e., ten 10G signals in parallel. Specifically, the10×10 MSA is available at www.10×10msa.org/. The 10×10 MSA is compliantwith IEEE 802.3ba CAUI, MLD, MAC structure, and the CFP MSA. Of note,the 10×10 MSA utilizes the same form factor as CFP for electrical,mechanical, and firmware interfaces. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that CFP and variants thereof (e.g., CFP2, CFP4, CFP8,CXP), CDFP and variants thereof, MSA-100GLH, CCRx, QSFP and variantsthereof (e.g., QSFP+, QSFP14, QSFP28, QSFP-DD, microQSFP), 10×10, etc.are presented as exemplary embodiments, and the present disclosurecontemplates use of integrated framing, FEC, PMs, OAM&P, alarming, etc.with any particular MSA agreement including newly defined agreements.

Referring to FIG. 35, in an exemplary embodiment, a block diagramillustrates a CFP module 3500 with integrated framing, FEC, PMs, OAM&P,alarming, etc. while preserving the CFP MSA specifications. As describedherein, the CFP module 3500 is configured to interoperate with anystandard CFP host system without requiring hardware and/or softwaremodification of the CFP host system. Optionally, the CFP host system mayinclude software modifications to communicate OAM&P, PM, etc. dataon/off the CFP module 3500 using standardized CFP communicationstechniques. The CFP module 3500 and the CFP host system arehot-pluggable. In particular, the CFP module 3500 includes a physicalhousing 3502 that is illustrated in FIG. 34. The CFP module 3500includes a plurality of interfaces 3504 that interconnect with the CFPhost system. For example, the plurality of interfaces 3504 may include aMDIO, a control/alarm interface, an optional receive monitor clock(RXMCLK), receive data (RXDATA), a reference clock (REFCLK), transmitdata (TXDATA), an optional transmit monitor clock (TXMCLK), and anoptional communications interface. The optional communications interfacemay directly provide OAM&P, PM, etc. data from the CFP module 3500, andthe optional communications interface may include I2C, Serial PeripheralInterface (SPI), RS-232, Ethernet, Ethernet over Universal Serial Bus(USB), Proprietary USB, and the like.

The CFP module 3500 includes a controller 3506, an interface integratedcircuit 3508, a framer/FEC/OAM&P circuit 3510, optical interfaces 3520,and optical demultiplexer/multiplexer 2522. It should be appreciatedthat the block diagram of FIG. 35 is an oversimplified illustration ofthe CFP module 3500, and a practical embodiment may include othercomponents which are not illustrated. The controller 3506, the interfaceintegrated circuit 3508, and the framer/FEC/OAM&P circuit 3510 generallyinclude electrical circuits, such as ASICs, FPGAs, microprocessors,digital signal processors, or other types of logic processing devicesconfigured to operate on digital electrical signals. The controller 3506is generally configured to operate the functionality of the CFP module3500 and to interface MDIO, control, and alarming data to the CFP hostsystem. The interface integrated circuit 3508 is configured to providethe various interfaces to/from the CFP host system. The framer/FEC/OAM&Pcircuit 3510 is configured to provide framing, FEC, and OAM&P on aclient signal within the CFP module 3500 while concurrently preservingthe MSA specifications such that the CFP module 3500 can operate in anyCFP compliant host system. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller3506, the interface integrated circuit 3508, and the framer/FEC/OAM&Pcircuit 3510 may be integrated into a single circuit. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the interface integrated circuit 3508 and theframer/FEC/OAM&P circuit 3510 may be integrated into a single circuit.In yet another exemplary embodiment, the various circuits 3506, 3508,3510 may be realized in separate circuits with interconnectstherebetween.

As described herein, the CFP module 3500 includes the framer/FEC/OAM&Pcircuit 3510 integrated within the CFP module 3500 for providingintegrated framing, FEC, OAM&P, etc. within a standard CFP MSA compliantdevice. That is, the CFP module 3500 may operate in any CFP complianthost device, and has the added functionality of integrated framing, FEC,OAM&P, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the framer/FEC/OAM&P circuit3510 is configured to frame each 10G in 4×10G or each 25G in 4×25G in anOTN-based wrapper with OAM&P overhead and FEC. In another exemplaryembodiment, the framer/FEC/OAM&P circuit 3510 is configured to frame the4×10G as a single 40G or the 4×25G as a single 100G in an OTN-basedwrapper with OAM&P overhead and FEC. Generally, the framer/FEC/OAM&Pcircuit 3510 may operate in a similar fashion as described herein withother MSAs such as XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, and 300-pin.

In an exemplary embodiment, the interfaces 3504 may include acommunications interface that is shown on the front of the CFP module3400 in FIG. 34 as Ethernet port 3530 in addition to optical ports 3540,3542. In the CFP MSA, the optical ports 3540, 3542 provide opticaltransmit and receive ports. The present disclosure may add the Ethernetport 3530 as a third port on the front of the CFP module 3500 forpurposes of OAM&P, PMs, etc. That is, the controller 3506 may include anEthernet switch which provides notification of alarming, PM, OAM&P, etc.data to/from the CFP module 3500. The Ethernet port 3530 allows a fullcomplement of OTN overhead data to be pulled off the CFP module 3500such as opposed to the reduced OTN overhead described in FIG. 11. Also,the Ethernet port 3530 may be connected in a daisy chain fashion toother Ethernet ports 3530 on other CFP modules 3500 with one of thedaisy chained Ethernet port 3530 connected to a network managementsystem. The Ethernet port 3530 is presented for illustration purposes,and this may alternatively be any of I2C, SPI, RS-232, Ethernet,Ethernet over USB, Proprietary USB, and the like. In another exemplaryembodiment, the CFP module 3500 may utilize the standard MDIO interfacein the interfaces 3504 to provide OAM&P data to/from the CFP module3500. The CFP module utilizes MDIO IEEE 802.3 clause 45 for itsmanagement interface. The CFP MDIO implementation is defined in aseparate document entitled, “CFP MSA Management InterfaceSpecification.” Similarly as described herein, the CFP module 3500 mayutilize undefined or optional registers to provide OAM&P data to thehost system.

Additionally, the Ethernet port 3530 can be used with the various otherMSAs described herein such as the various 40G and 100G MSAimplementations. Of note, the present disclosure provides advancedfunctionality internal to the various transceivers while concurrentlysupporting backward compatibility with any host device compliant withthe associated MSA standards. In an exemplary embodiment, the varioustransceivers can be used without providing OAM&P data related to theadvanced functionality to the host device. For example, the use of thetransceivers described herein may be to provide extra distance, margin,etc. and the OAM&P data developed within the transceiver for this extrafunctionality may not be provided to the host system. Here, the hostsystem may not have software functionality to read this OAM&P data. Anexemplary objective of the Ethernet port 3530 is to provide this OAM&Pdata in a manner that is transparent to the host system. Specifically,the host system in this exemplary embodiment requires no modification—itsimply operates in accordance with the MSA specifications. Concurrently,the transceivers described herein to provide additionalfunctionality—OAM&P, framing, FEC, integrated amplification, etc.—andthis associated OAM&P data can be obtained directly through the Ethernetport 3530 or equivalent. Further, the Ethernet port 3530 can ultimatelycommunicate to a management system that manages the OAM&P of thetransceiver along with other transceivers and integration into othersoftware platforms and management systems.

Referring to FIG. 36, in an exemplary embodiment, a block diagramillustrates an OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 with integrated framing, FEC,PMs, OAM&P, alarming, etc. while preserving the OIF MSA-100GLH MSAspecifications. As described herein, the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 isconfigured to interoperate with any standard OIF MSA-100GLH host systemwithout requiring hardware and/or software modification of the OIFMSA-100GLH host system. Optionally, the OIF MSA-100GLH host system mayinclude software modifications to communicate OAM&P, PM, etc. dataon/off the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 using standardized OIF MSA-100GLHcommunications techniques. The OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 includes aphysical housing 3602. The OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 includes aplurality of interfaces 3604 that interconnect with the OIF MSA-100GLHhost system. For example, the plurality of interfaces 3604 may include aMDIO, a control/alarm interface, a receive monitor clock (RXMCLK),receive data (RXDATA), a reference clock (REFCLK), transmit data(TXDATA), a transmit monitor clock (TXMCLK), and the like.

In the transmit direction, the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 includes aframer/FEC circuit 3610, a multiplexer 3612, and transmit optics 3614.In the receive direction, the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 includes adeframer/FEC circuit 3620, an ADC/DSP 3622, and receive optics 3624.Further, the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 includes a controller 3630configured to monitor and control the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 as wellas provide the MDIO connection to a host system. In an exemplaryembodiment, the framer/FEC circuit 3610, the multiplexer 3612, thedeframer/FEC circuit 3620, and the ADC/DSP 3622 are part of a singlecircuit, ASIC, etc. In another exemplary embodiment, the framer/FECcircuit 3610 and the deframer/FEC circuit 3620 are part of a singlecircuit, ASIC, etc. The framer/FEC circuit 3610 is configured to receivea client signal from the host system (TX DATA) and to encapsulate/framethe client signal in an OTN wrapper with FEC, OAM&P overhead, etc. Themultiplexer 3612 is configured to deserialize an output of theframer/FEC circuit 3610 for the transmit optics 3614. In an exemplaryembodiment, the transmit optics 3614 include native 40G or 100G linerates using polarization multiplexing, differential QPSK, andcombinations thereof. The receive optics 3624 are configured to receivea line signal and provide the line signal to the ADC/DSP 3622 forconversion to multiple lanes at lower rates and for signal conditioning.The deframer/FEC circuit 3620 is configured to decapsulate/deframe theline signal and provide the client signal to the host system. Similar tothe CFP module 3500, the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600 utilizes MDIO IEEE802.3 clause 45 for its management interface. The OIF MSA-100GLH module3600 may utilize undefined or optional registers to provide OAM&P datato the host system via the MDIO. Also, the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600may include an Ethernet port similar to the Ethernet port 3530.

Referring to FIG. 37, in an exemplary embodiment, a block diagramillustrates a 10×10 module 3700 with integrated framing, FEC, PMs,OAM&P, alarming, etc. while preserving the 10×10 and CFP MSAspecifications. As described herein, the 10×10 module 3700 is configuredto interoperate with any standard 10×10 MSA host system withoutrequiring hardware and/or software modification of the 10×10 MSA hostsystem. Optionally, the 10×10 MSA host system may include softwaremodifications to communicate OAM&P, PM, etc. data on/off the 10×10module 3700 using standardized 10×10/CFP MSA communications techniques.The 10×10 module 3700 includes a physical housing 3702. The 10×10 module3700 also includes a CDR/framer/FEC/OAM&P circuit 3704 and a controller3706 each of which interfaces to the 10×10 MSA host system. The circuit3704 is configured to perform clock and data recovery and to generallyinterface to the host system with ten lanes of 10G. Additionally, thecircuit 3704 is configured to provide framing, FEC, OAM&P, alarming,etc. within the 10×10 module 3700 while still maintaining compatibilitywith the 10×10 MSA and the CFP MSA. The 10×10 module 3700 furtherincludes on the transmit side a driver array 3710, a laser array 3712,and an optical multiplexer 3714 which collectively drive ten wavelengthsat 10G each and then combine them via the multiplexer 3714, On thereceive side, the 10×10 module 3700 includes a transimpedance amplifierarray 3720, a photodiode array 3722, and an optical demultiplexer 3724which collectively receive a WDM signal of ten wavelengths at 10G eachand demultiplex and convert to electrical for processing by the circuit3704. Note, since the 10×10 MSA is also compliant with the CFP MSA, the10×10 module 3700 may use similar mechanisms as described herein withrespect to the CFP module 3500 for communicating to the host system orthrough the Ethernet port 3530.

FIGS. 34-37 illustrate exemplary embodiments using CFP, CDFP, OIFMSA-100GLH, and 10×10. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethe present disclosure contemplates adding framing, FEC, OAM&P,alarming, etc. into any current or future MSA including emerging 40G,100G, 400G, 1T, etc. MSAs. That is, the present disclosure strives tointegrate additional functionality into optical transceivers whilemaintaining compatibility with existing host systems, i.e., whilepreserving MSA specifications for mechanical characteristics, managementinterfaces, electrical characteristics, optical characteristics, thermalrequirements, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 38-40, in exemplary embodiments, the CFP module 3500,the OIF MSA-100GLH module 3600, and the 10×10 module 3700 can includeintegrated amplifiers 3802, 3804. The amplifiers 3802, 3804 can beerbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), semiconductor optical amplifiers,etc. The amplifier 3802 is a preamplifier connected before receiveroptics, and the amplifier 3804 is a post-amplifier connected aftertransmitter optics. That is, the amplifier 3802 is configured to amplifyreceived signals prior to receiver optical components, and the amplifier3804 is configured to amplify transmitted signals from transmitteroptical components prior to outputting the signals. The varioustransceiver modules 3500, 3600, 3700 can also include additionalcomponents such as a switch in-line with the amplifiers 3802, 3804thereby enabling the amplifiers 3802, 2804 to be removed and turned offwhen not required. For example, when enabled, the switch can beconfigured to provide optical signals to the amplifiers 3802, 3804, andwhen disabled, the switch can be configured to remove the amplifiers3802, 3804 from the optical path. Note, the amplifiers 3802, 3804 can beindividually controlled and enabled/disabled separately. In this manner,the amplifiers 3802, 3804 can provide significantly more performancethan is specified in the associated MSAs for the transceiver modules3500, 3600, 3700.

Again, consistent with the foregoing descriptions, the amplifiers 3802,3804 are integrated within the transceiver modules 3500, 3600, 3700 in amanner that preserves backward compatibility with the MSA specificationssuch that the transceiver modules 3500, 3600, 3700 with the amplifiers3802, 3804 can be used in any MSA-compliant host device whether or notthe host device is configured to support the amplifiers 3802, 3804. Inan exemplary embodiment, the host device can control and monitor theamplifiers 3802, 3804 via the various communication mechanisms describedherein such as via software support to communicate via MSA-definedregisters, etc. In another exemplary embodiment, the Ethernet port 3530can be used to control and monitor the amplifiers 3802, 3804 such as viaa management system or the like. In yet another exemplary embodiment,the amplifiers 3802, 3804 can be monitored and controlled via customcommands through the host system to the transceiver modules 3500, 3600,3700 where there is no support directly through the host system.

Referring to FIG. 41, in an exemplary embodiment, a block diagramillustrates an optical transceiver 4100 with pluggable amplifiers 4102,4104 contained therein. The transceiver 4100 can be any of the foregoingMSA-compliant transceivers described herein, such as specifically thetransceiver modules 3500, 3600, 3700. The transceiver 4100 includes aphysical housing 4112 that may be defined by the associated MSA,circuitry 4114, transmitter optics 4116, and receiver optics 4118. Thecircuitry 4114 can include the various components described herein forinterfacing the transceiver 4100 to a MSA-compliant host device, forserializing/deserializing, FEC, framing, OAM&P, modulation, etc. Thetransmitter optics 4116 and the receiver optics 4118 can include variousoptical components such as modulators, demodulators, lasers, receivers,multiplexers, demultiplexers, etc. Variously, the transmitter optics4116 and the receiver optics 4118 are configured, in conjunction withthe circuitry 4114, to form composite optical signals as defined by theassociated MSA specification.

The physical housing 4112 includes input ports for the pluggableamplifiers 4102, 4104 such that the pluggable amplifiers 4102, 4104 canbe selectively inserted as needed for the transceiver 4100. Thepluggable amplifier 4102 is a preamplifier, and the pluggable amplifiers4104 is a post amplifier. When inserted, the pluggable amplifiers 4102,4104 are physically connected in-line with the transmitter optics 4116and the receiver optics 4118 via a small optical fiber cable on thefront of the physical housing 4112. Note, the pluggable amplifiers 4102,4104 can be separately used, e.g., if only a preamplifier is needed,only the pluggable amplifier 4102 is inserted, and the pluggableamplifier 4104 is omitted. As described herein, the transceiver 4100maintains its compatibility with the MSA specifications such that it maybe operated in any MSA-compliant host device. Further, the pluggableamplifiers 4102, 4104 are transparent to the MSA-compliant host devicebut may be monitored by the host device using the various communicationmechanisms described herein.

Referring to FIG. 42, in an exemplary embodiment, a block diagramillustrates a pluggable optical transceiver 4200 supporting 40G, 100G,200G, 400G, etc. with framing and FEC integrated into the pluggableoptical transceiver 4200, separate and independent from a host device4202. The pluggable optical transceiver 4200 can include foregoingMSA-compliant transceivers described herein. The pluggable opticaltransceiver 4200 also contemplates future MSAs supporting 40G, 100G,200G, 400G, etc. An exemplary objective of the pluggable opticaltransceiver 4200 is to perform on-board framing, FEC, and/or OAM&Pindependent and separate from the host device 4202. In an exemplaryembodiment, the framing, FEC, and/or OAM&P is performed withoutinvolvement or the knowledge of the host device 4202. This allowsadvanced functionality support in the pluggable optical transceiver 4200in any type of the host device 4202, which supports the MSA that thepluggable optical transceiver 4200 is backward compatible. In otherexemplary embodiments, the pluggable optical transceiver 4200 canprovide OA&MP data related to the framing, FEC, and/or OAM&P to the hostdevice 4202. For example, the OA&MP data can be provided via acommunication link 4204 between a controller 4206 on the pluggableoptical transceiver 4200 and the host device 4202. The communicationlink 4202 can use any of the techniques described herein and caninclude, without limitation, MDIO, I2C, etc.

A communication link 4208 is configured to provide data between thepluggable optical transceiver 4200 and the host device 4202. Thecommunication link 4208 includes one or more electrical signaling lanesto provide an aggregate of 40G, 100G, 200G, 400G, etc. The communicationlink 4208 may include a nominal signaling lane rate is 10 Gbit/s perlane with various electrical interface specifications such as CAUI,XLAUI, OTL4.10, OTL3.4, and STL256.4. Other variants may use a signalinglane rate of 25 Gbit/s per lane. For example, the CFP MSA has anelectrical interface of 4×10G (XLAUI) or 10×10G (CAUI), the CFP2 MSA hasan electrical interface of 4×25G (CAUI2 or CPPI2), and the CFP4 MSA hasan electrical interface of 100G. For 200G, 400G, etc., other variantsare also contemplates such as 20×10G, 40×10G, 8×25G, 16×25G, 8×50G,10×40G, 4×100G, etc. That is, the communication link 4208 can beexpressed as N×M where N is an integer signifying a number of red in thecommunication link 4208 and M is a bit rate value signifying a bit ratefor each of the N signaling lanes.

The pluggable optical transceiver 4200 includes an OTN processor 4210coupled to the communication link 4208. The OTN processor 4210 isconfigured to perform advanced integrated functions including framing,FEC, and/or OAM&P, within the pluggable optical transceiver 4200. Again,the advanced integrated functions are performed independently andseparately from the host device 4202. In some embodiments, associatedOAM&P data is provided to the host device 4202 from the OTN processor4210 through the controller 4206 and the communication link 4204. TheOTN processor 4210 communicates bidirectionally with the host device4202 through the communication link 4208. For TX/RX, the OTN processor4210 outputs data to a multiplexer section 4212 and TX optics 4124 foran optical output 4216, and the OTN process 4210 receives data from ademultiplexer section 4222 which receives data from RX optics 4224 whichreceives an optical input 4226. In this manner, the pluggable opticaltransceiver 4200 provides 40G, 100G, 200G, 400G, etc. between the hostdevice 4202 and the optical output 4216 and the optical input 4226. Thecommunication link 4208 can be referred to as interface circuitryconfigured to interface with the host device 4202 for providing ahigh-speed signal between the host device 4202 and the pluggable opticaltransceiver 4200. The OTN processor 4210 can be referred to as framingand forward error correction circuitry configured to provide framing andforward error correction related to the high-speed signal.

The multiplexer section 4212 is configured to receive one or moresignaling lanes from the OTN processor 4210 through a communication link4230. The multiplexer section 4212 is configured to process output datafrom the OTN processor 4210 for presentation to the TX optics 4124. Forexample, in an exemplary embodiment, the communication link 4230 has Xsignaling lanes and an output of the multiplexer section 4212 on acommunication link 4232 has Y signaling lanes, X≠Y. In another exemplaryembodiment, X=Y. For example, in a 100G device, X may equal 10 lanes andY may equal 4 lanes. Other embodiments are also contemplated.

The TX optics 4124 include lasers and modulators to take data from thecommunication link 4232 and optically transmit it on the optical output4216. The TX optics 4124 can include WDM/DWDM/CWDM components totransmit each of the Y signaling lanes on a separate wavelength. Each ofthe Y signaling lanes is used to modulate a wavelength. The TX optics4124 can include any transmission technique such as direct detection,coherent, polarization multiplexing, etc. In an exemplary embodiment,where Y=4 lanes, the TX optics 4124 may include 4×28G DWDM transmissionfor a 100G client. Here, 4 wavelengths are used to transport a 112Gsignal (the difference between 100G and 112G being the framing overheadand FEC). That is, the TX optics 4124 can include components supportingY wavelength transmission, for each of the Y signaling lanes from thecommunication link 4232. The optical output 4216 is a WDM/DWDM/CWDMsignal with the Y wavelengths.

The optics 4224 and the demultiplexer section 4222 perform the oppositefunctionality on the optical input 4226 as the TX optics 4124 and themultiplexer section 4212. That is, the pluggable optical transceiver4200 is configured to connect to another pluggable optical transceiver4200 via an optical link, with the optical output 4216 from a firstpluggable optical transceiver 4200 being the optical input 4226 of asecond pluggable optical transceiver 4200 and the optical input 4226 ofthe first pluggable optical transceiver 4200 being the optical output4216 from the first pluggable optical transceiver 4200. The RX opticsinclude receivers and demodulators to take optical data from the opticalinput 4226 and convert it to electrical signals output on acommunication link 4234 which has Y signaling lanes to correspond to thecommunication link 4232. The demultiplexer section 4222 receives the Ysignaling lanes from the communication link 4234 and provides Xsignaling lanes on a communication link 4236 to the OTN processor 4210.

Referring to FIG. 43, in an exemplary embodiment, a network diagramillustrates a network 4300 utilizing any of the various pluggableoptical transceivers described herein. The network 4300 includes twonetwork elements 4302, 4304 interconnected to one another via apluggable optical transceiver 4200 (or any of the various pluggableoptical transceivers described herein). Thus, the network elements 4302,4304 are host devices and have communication over an optical link 4306formed by the pluggable optical transceivers 4200. As described herein,various functionality is incorporated in the optical link 4306 via thepluggable optical transceivers 4200, independent of the network elements4302, 4304, such as FEC, framing, EDC, etc.

The optical link 4306 is insecure and open for the physical intrusion.One approach to fix this limitation is encrypted transmission whichrequires native support on the host devices (the network elements 4302,4304) which is not widely deployed and not deployed at all inMSA-compliant pluggable transceivers. In an exemplary embodiment, thepluggable optical transceivers 4200 can support encryption between oneanother over the optical link 4306 in a book-ended manner. Thebook-ended manner means the encryption is transparent to the networkelements 4302, 4304 and fully contained in the pluggable opticaltransceivers 4200. Thus, the encryption is performed in the pluggableoptical transceivers 4200 and terminated prior to any communicationbetween the pluggable optical transceiver 4200 and the network element4302, 4304. The encryption can be Layer 1 and/or Layer 2 encryption,such as using existing encryption protocols including OTNSec (OTNSecurity), IPSec (IP Security), ETHSec (Ethernet Security), etc. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the encryption can be a proprietaryscheme. Advantageously, the optical link 4306 can be secure fromintrusions independent of support of encryption on the network elements4302, 4304.

Also, Ethernet processing (Alarms, PMs, Fault detection, BER, etc.) isonly done today in host devices, i.e., the network elements 4302, 4304.This can be slow in the host device, and customers are limited to whatthe host device supports. It would be advantageous to support EthernetMAC framing+Ethernet level PM and alarms monitoring in the pluggableoptical transceiver 4200, independent of the host device. This caninclude any Ethernet processing, such as to gather and report PMs,alarms, to detect faults (LOS, LOF, BER) much faster than the hostdevice and to cause the host device to switch by signaling or turningoff the laser, etc.

Thus, in any present or future defined MSA (CFP variants, SFP, XFP, QSFPvariants, etc.), the pluggable optical transceiver 4200 (and the othertransceivers described herein) can support these twofunctions—encryption and Ethernet processing (together or separate) in amanner that any host device (switch, router, etc.) which supports theMSA can use the pluggable optical transceiver 4200 in a book endedconfiguration.

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and describedherein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examplesthereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functionsand/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments andexamples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure andare intended to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical transceiver configured to operate in ahost device, the optical transceiver comprising: an electrical interfacecommunicatively coupled to the host device to interface electricallywith the host device, wherein the optical transceiver is compliant witha Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) which is supported by the host device;optical transceiver components communicatively coupled to the electricalinterface, wherein the optical transceiver components are configured tooptically interface signals with a second optical transceiver to form anoptical link; and electronic dispersion compensation circuitrycommunicatively coupled to the optical transceiver components andconfigured to electronically compensate for optical fiber chromaticand/or polarization mode dispersion associated with the optical link,separate and independent from the host device.
 2. The opticaltransceiver of claim 1, wherein the electronic dispersion compensationcircuitry operates independent of the MSA and is transparent to the hostdevice.
 3. The optical transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:forward error correction circuitry communicatively coupled to theelectronic dispersion compensation circuitry and the optical transceivercomponents.
 4. The optical transceiver of claim 3, wherein the forwarderror correction circuitry operates independent and separate from thehost device and the MSA.
 5. The optical transceiver of claim 3, whereinthe forward error correction circuitry and the electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry are in a same application specific integratedcircuit.
 6. The optical transceiver of claim 1, further comprising:management interface circuitry communicatively coupled to the hostdevice via the electrical interface, wherein the management interfaceoperates based on the MSA.
 7. The optical transceiver of claim 6,wherein the management interface circuitry provides data related to theelectronic dispersion compensation circuitry via communicationmechanisms in the MSA.
 8. The optical transceiver of claim 1, furthercomprising: framing circuitry communicatively coupled to the electronicdispersion compensation circuitry and the optical transceivercomponents.
 9. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein the MSAcomprises a variant of CFP.
 10. The optical transceiver of claim 1,wherein the MSA comprises a variant of QSFP.
 11. A method implemented byan optical transceiver operating in a host device, the methodcomprising: electrically communicating with the host device via anelectrical interface, wherein the optical transceiver is compliant witha Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) which is supported by the host device;optically communicating with a second optical transceiver over anoptical link via optical transceiver components communicatively coupledto the electrical interface; and electrically compensating dispersionfor optical fiber chromatic and/or polarization mode dispersionassociated with the optical link, separate and independent from the hostdevice, via electronic dispersion compensation circuitry communicativelycoupled to the optical transceiver components.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the electronic dispersion compensation circuitry operatesindependent of the MSA and is transparent to the host device.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: performing forward errorcorrection via forward error correction circuitry communicativelycoupled to the electronic dispersion compensation circuitry and theoptical transceiver components.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theforward error correction circuitry operates independent and separatefrom the host device and the MSA.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinthe forward error correction circuitry and the electronic dispersioncompensation circuitry are in a same application specific integratedcircuit.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: communicatingmanagement data with the host device via management interface circuitry,wherein the management interface operates based on the MSA.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the management interface circuitry providesdata related to the electronic dispersion compensation circuitry viacommunication mechanisms in the MSA.
 18. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: performing framing via framing circuitry communicativelycoupled to the electronic dispersion compensation circuitry and theoptical transceiver components.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein theMSA comprises a variant of CFP.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein theMSA comprises a variant of QSFP.